The ancient town of Monreale is located just a few kilometres from Palermo. Its wonderful Cathedral, the Duomo of Monreale, whose construction began in 1174 at the behest of King William II of Altavilla and whose interior walls are entirely decorated in Byzantines mosaics, is undoubtedly one of the most important sights in Sicily.

Easily accessible by bus from Piazza Indipendenza, Monreale is an obligatory stop for all lovers of art, history and culture.

The Cathedral, admired and studied by people all over the world, is a magical place in which the architecture of northern Europe and the style of Arabic art live in perfect harmony. This combination of styles creates an enchanting atmosphere as ancient as it is beautiful, and along with the precious Byzantine mosaics you can admire the image of Christ Pantocrator in the apse, one of the highest achievements of Italian art of the period.

Among the treasures of the Cathedral are also the chapels of St. Castrense, St. Benedict and the Holy Cross (Santissimo Crocifisso), a splendid Baroque example of variegated marbles. The church also houses the royal tombs of Kings William I and William II of Sicily.

Another of the treasures of the Cathedral of Monreale is the ancient cloister, which, with its ancient columns and its geometric garden, is a splendid example of Byzantine architecture in Europe.

Albergo Athenaeum is strategically positioned to reach Monreale either by car or by public transport, as it is just a few minutes’ walk from both Piazza Indipendenza and the bus terminal at the Parcheggio Basile. Our guests, therefore, can easily reach one of the most fascinating places in Sicily, admired by travellers from all over the world.