Monreale

 

Buon giorno,

I made it! And it was well worth the trip.

I spent lot of time using my research skills to find the answers I needed. One site insisted that Bus 389 had been discontinued. This was nonsense, but I came across a site where the author was very eager to help travelers get to Monreale. Apparently I'm not the only one who had difficulties with the bus stop, so she provided photos and a detailed description of how to find it. Bingo!

And I didn't have to wait long for the bus. Monreale is not far from Palermo, but the traffic makes it a longer journey (with a LOT of angry honking), and although I snagged a window seat, the passing scene was not picturesque. After a while we left flat Palermo and began to climb going around hairpin curves, and I do not know how the bus made it. But we reached the bus stop. Then we had to climb the hill into town. It seemed to go on forever and cars behind us honked and honked to get us pedestrians out of their way. At this point the sky decided to rain. No problem. I always carry an umbrella in Europe.

But then we reached the piazza where the Cathedral stands, and my heart was happy.  The main cathedral is free, but I sprang for a ticket to see the treasury, and I also got to walk in the beautiful cloisters.  

The interior is encrusted with wonderful mosaics in the Byzantine style. The walls seem to be a comprehensive retelling of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments.  It was crowded but not nearly as sardine-like as the Capella Palatina down in town. It is magnificent, as I mentioned before the use of glittering glass brings every scene to vivid life.

                                         


                                      

After feasting my eyes, I made my way back to the bus stop.  I didn't have to wait too long, but once we got into town the progress and traffic were painful. I looked at car drivers. They all looked resigned but miserable.  After leaving Bus 389, I had to transfer to Bus 109, which would take me home. I had to wait quite a while and the bus made a big loop through the city before finally dumping us off at the Central Station, which is very close to my home. Of course, now that I'm back, it's cleared up.

Ciao for now