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.

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.

A detail of the head of the fountain

A number of views and details of some of the columns in the Cloister

A number of views and details of some of the columns in the Cloister

A number of views and details of some of the columns in the Cloister

A number of views and details of some of the columns in the Cloister

A number of views and details of some of the columns in the Cloister

A number of views and details of some of the columns in the Cloister

The fountain at the Cloisters

The four corners of the Cloisters – the bottom right is the fountain

The four corners of the Cloisters – the bottom right is the fountain

The four corners of the Cloisters – the bottom right is the fountain

The four corners of the Cloisters – the bottom right is the fountain

We walked back around the front of the Duomo and went inside.

Center view of the facade of the Duomo of Monreale

Left view of the facade of the Duomo of Monreale

Right view of the facade of the Duomo of Monreale

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.

A confessional

A detail of the ceiling

A light on the side of the aisles

A view of over the main altar

Cappella del Crocifisso

The treasury

View down the main aisle of the Duomo in Monreale

View down the main aisle of the Duomo in Monreale

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).

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.

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, 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.