Cefalù (PA) is located on the northern coast of Sicily beneath the 270m high rockface called the Hercules promontory by the Phoenicians, the setting for the ruins of the Castle of Cefalù (dating to the 13th / 14th century) and the Temple of Diana, a megalithic building from the 5th/4th centuries B.C.E. which includes a 9th century B.C.E. cistern.
The historical quarter stands in the shadow of the rock, clustered around the giant cathedral commissioned by Ruggero II the Norman in 1331: elevated above the square, the building is accessed by a staircase that leads to a parvis; two imposing towers frame the façade which is decorated in the upper part with Arabesque crossed ogivals above a three-arched portico. The mosaics inside were created by Byzantine masters in 1148. Beside the Cathedral is the Bishops Palace, dating to the end of the 1700s. Also on the square is Palazzo Piraino whose majestic 16th century portal leads to a courtyard and the former Monastery of St. Catherine whose main portal is all that remains of the original 12th-13th century construction.
The most notable trace of the ancient Kephaloidon is represented by the dry-stone megalithic walls that date to 5th century B.C.E. and are still well conserved. Porta Marina with its Gothic arch is the only city gate remaining of the original four and leads to the colourful fishing neighbourhood.
Sicilia Film Commission
Via Emanuele Notarbartolo 9 — 90141 Palermo
Phone: +39 091 7078008; +39 091 7078264; +39 091 7078133; +39 091 7078145
Email: filmcommission@regione.sicilia.it
