Cefalù: The Incredible Arab-Norman Pearl

Originally founded by the Greeks — its name derived from Kephaloidon (meaning “head”) — Cefalù is nestled between the sea and a striking limestone promontory. The town’s crown jewel is its Cathedral (Duomo, 1131-1240), which features stunning gold-backed mosaics and a Madonna by Antonello Gagini (1533).
Other notable landmarks include the Osterio Magno and the Chiesa del Purgatorio (Church of Purgatory). The Mandralisca Museum houses an eclectic collection of books, coins, shells, archaeological artifacts and paintings, including the famous Portrait of an Unknown Man by Antonello da Messina.