About Cefalù
On the northern coast, 75 kilometers
east of Palermo, Cefalù is built on the site of an ancient
Sicanian and Greek settlement. Cefalù is one of the jewels
of Sicily, the Pearl of Tirreno. A picturesque medieval town
grouped around a superb Norman Cathedral, leading down to a beautiful
sand beach and sea front. The name Cefalù comes from the
Greek Kefa, which means "head which derives from the rock",
a large rock cliff that dominates the town, and from its foot
extends the historic town centre. Begun in 1131, the Norman cathedral
and the adjoining abbey and cloister were completed some years
later. The church was one of the first Sicilian cathedrals built
on the Western model, with a long nave and distinct transept.
Near the ruins of the citadel at the top of the mountain are
the remnants of the Temple of Diana, probably a Sicanian structure.
Its portal and cut stone reflect Greek and Roman construction,
and in fact the cult of Hercules practiced here. However, the
temple's foundations are actually far more ancient, dating to
the ninth century BC.
Several medieval buildings still stand in the city itself. These
include the lavatoio (lavandai), a medieval wash house fed by
freshwater springs, and the Osteria Magna (Great Guest house).
A maze of charming medieval streets make Cefalù a pleasant
spot, whether you stay for a morning or an entire day. There
are some good restaurants in the town center and near the beach
that offer seafood and other local specialties, and a number
of pizzerias.
|
