Cefalù, Medieval coastal town in Sicily, Italy
Description
Cefalù is a coastal town on the northern shore of Sicily that spreads along a sandy shoreline below a steep rock. The narrow lanes in the historic center lead from the harbor uphill to the cathedral, while honey-colored stone houses are pressed between the coast and green slopes.
History
Greek settlers founded a colony here in the 5th century BC, before Arab and Norman rulers shaped the town during the Middle Ages. Roger II ordered the cathedral built from 1131 onward, reflecting his power and the influence of Byzantine craftsmen.
Culture
The name comes from Greek and means head, after the shape of the rock rising above the rooftops. Locals gather in the late afternoon along the seafront promenade, where families stroll and fishermen mend their nets.
Practical
The railway station sits a short distance outside the center, and from there a brief walk leads to the historic core by the water. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to visit, when fewer travelers are around and the light becomes softer.
Did you know?
A medieval stone washhouse sits below the old town, fed by a spring flowing through the rock. The stone basins were used until the second half of the 20th century and remain accessible today.
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Cefalù Cathedral
125 m
Abbey of Thelema
982 m
Rocca di Cefalù
490 m
Sanctuary of Gibilmanna
5.8 km
Spiaggia Cefalú
474 m
Museo Mandralisca
92 m
Acqua Verde
6.7 kmAbbazia di San Giorgio
10.9 kmPizzo Sant'Angelo
6.3 kmMuseo Frà Gianmaria da Tusa
5.8 km
Lighthouse of Cefalù
652 m
Malpertugio Viaduct
7.7 km
Abbaye Santa Anastasia
9.3 km
Settefrati beach
5.1 km
Spiaggia di Cocuzzola
7.2 kmTorre Kalura
1.6 km
Plaja degli Uccelli
5.1 kmBaia Settefrati e spiaggia di Salinelle
5.3 kmTorre di Sant'Ambrogio
6.2 kmTorre Tonda
7.6 kmCastello di Bonvicino
9.7 kmGrotta Grattara
9.8 kmBoschi di Gibilmanna e Cefalù
5.2 kmRocca di Cefalù
481 mCastello di Cefalù
515 mAbbazia di San Giorgio
10.9 km
Spiaggia libera Spiaggia degli Uccelli
5 kmPoseidon
513 m
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