Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo)

Palermo Cathedral rises along Corso Vittorio Emanuele in the Cassaro quarter of Palermo, Sicily, about five minutes on foot from Quattro Canti. The Norman-founded church was begun in the late 12th century on the site of an earlier basilica and mosque, and it has been altered repeatedly since. The result is a deliberate patchwork: the exterior shows Arab-Norman and Gothic features, a Catalan-style porch faces the street, and the large dome and much of the interior are neoclassical additions from the late 18th century. The cathedral belongs to the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo listing. Inside, the nave is spacious and relatively plain, and entry to it is free. The main draws are in separate sections with their own tickets. The royal tombs hold the porphyry sarcophagi of Roger II and Frederick II, among other rulers of the Norman and Hohenstaufen dynasties. The treasury displays liturgical objects and the crown of Constance of Aragon. The roof terraces, reached by a narrow staircase, give a view over the rooftops of the old city toward the sea and the surrounding mountains, and they are a favoured photo spot, best in dry weather and at the end of the day. The Chapel of Santa Rosalia holds the shrine of the city's patron saint, whose festival in July is the main civic celebration. A visit takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on how many sections are included. The nave is quietest in the morning outside Mass times, and the terraces are busiest around sunset. Visitors should dress modestly, since this is an active cathedral, and expect sections to close at different times from the nave. The square in front and the nearby Palazzo dei Normanni make this an easy stop on a walk through the historic centre.