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Today we got going slowly, did a small amount of shopping near the hotel, including finally getting Aviva a European current heating pad, and then took a cab up to Monreale.
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A
figure outside the medical supply we found |
We arrived outside the Duomo in the main square in Monreale; Monreale is a small town on a hill about 8 kilometres outside of Palermo. The Duomo was built by William II around 1180; it is one of the best remaining examples of Norman architecture. We walked around to the Cloisters, which are behind the church. Its a huge open square with a columnade on all sides and a fountain in one corner. All the columns are unique in base, column and capital.
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A
number of views and details of some of the columns in the Cloister |
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The
four corners of the Cloisters - the bottom right is the fountain |
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The
fountain at the Cloisters |
A
detail of the head of the fountain |
We walked back around the front of the Duomo and went inside.
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Left,
center and right views of the facade of the Duomo of Monreale |
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The
doors of the Duomo |
The interior is decorated with mosaics, all over the upper reaches of the Duomo. Its believed the same craftsmen did the mosaics at Capella Palatina.
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Views
down the main aisle of the Duomo in Monreale |
A
view of over the main altar |
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A
detail of the ceiling |
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The
treasury |
Cappella
del Crocifisso |
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A
light on the side of the aisles |
A
confessional |
We ate lunch at Taverna del Pavone, a little outdoor trattoria. I liked the food, Aviva thought it was okay.
We walked back to the Duomo and found a Monreale taxi sitting there, so we took it back to the city (the ride back was cheaper than the ride out, so you might want to consider that when planning a cab out and back).
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A
view of Palermo from just below Monreale |
We were dropped off outside of Chiesa di San Dominico, which is near the silver shops. Aviva wanted to consider a ring she had seen a day ago. But, we forgot about siesta and it was about 14:00. So, we had gellato and started walking down a street with outdoor vendors which went on for a number of blocks on Via Bandiera.
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A
view towards Via Roma on Via Bandiera |
We bought a few things, then walked back to the silversmiths - the ring had real diamonds, not marcasite (sp?), so it was more than Aviva wanted to spend. We strolled back to the hotel and then I went down the street to a Bancomat (automated teller machine) and a tabachi to get stamps to mail some postcards.
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Send
email to Bob at electricbob@alephnaught.com
Send
email to Aviva at avivakramer@earthlink.net
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