Monreale, the golden city hosts the first stage of the Giro d'Italia 2020

Monreale, the golden city hosts the first stage of the Giro d’Italia 2020

Hi, I’m Gabriella,

a Monrealese DOC! This year my beloved town hosts an important event: the Giro d’Italia and I am part of the organization.

It’s expected a large influx of people, many tourists will visit my town, are you among them? I suggest you what to see and how best to enjoy the first stage of the Giro d’Italia 2020.

The town of Monreale is located ten kilometres from Palermo, in an elevated position, easily reachable with a rental car; I rely on Sicily Rent Car, an agency made in Sicily with the best service guaranteed (book here).

The city of Monreale is very famous all over the world, heritage of Unesco since 2015.

The legend linked to the Cathedral of Monreale tells that King William II, intent on a hunt in Monreale, was caught in a deep sleep, to rest he fell asleep under a carob tree. While he was sleeping, the shining Madonna appeared to him in a dream and revealed to him that under the tree where he slept, there was a huge treasure. She told him to dig it up and take it, and then build a temple with Her name, “Santa Maria Nuova”.

King William II listened unreservedly to the will of the Virgin and had what is today the Cathedral of Monreale built. Many people of different ethnic groups settled around it: Arabs, Byzantines, Normans, Spanish.

Each ethnic group gave its artistic and architectural contribution transforming the town itself into a treasure to be admired.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Nuova

Included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it is considered one of the most important medieval churches in the world and contains a unique variety of styles.

The cathedral of Monreale is famous above all for its Byzantine mosaics, there are over 130 and depict episodes from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the lives of the saints.

I suggest you to start your itinerary from here, because the morning light that illuminates the church is enchanting.

The monastery of St. Benedict

Next to the Cathedral stands the monastery of St. Benedict where the first monks who took care of the cathedral at the request of King William II lived.  The Monastery has a wonderful cloister to visit, in Romanesque style, with arabesque columns and an imposing fountain in the centre.

The Belvedere

Behind the Palazzo del Municipio is the Belvedere, a public garden from which you can admire the Conca d’Oro plain, where Palermo is located. The singular name comes from the colours of its fruits, mainly citrus fruits, which have golden reflections: the most typical of these is the late mandarin.

Gastronomy

Monreale excels in its vineyards, orchards and olive groves. Note the production of wine and oil. Among the most famous we find: Insolia, Grillo, Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, Perricone, DOP Extra Vergine di Oliva Val di Mazzara.

For your lunch break you must absolutely taste the “Pane Cunzatu”, a product that holds the primacy of taste in Monreale. It consists of bread from Monreale baked strictly in a wood-fired oven and seasoned with tomato and caciocavallo cheese, an intoxicating fragrance, an inimitable flavour.

Try also the “S” shaped biscuits, brushed with icing and often accompanied by quince jam.

On the third of October the Giro d’Italia 2020 will start from Monreale, the first stage will be 15 km long and will reach the centre of Palermo.

The cyclists will start from Piazzale Florio, will move immediately in the direction of Via Cappuccini, here the riders will have to face a not indifferent sloping stretch, then they will cross the Arco degli Angeli, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Via Roma, Via Dante, Piazza Guglielmo II and finally the very fast descent of Via Benedetto D’Acquisto in the direction of the centre of Palermo, with the expected arrival in Via Libertà.

Departure strongly desired by the President of the Sicilian Region, Nello Musumeci, to enhance the architectural beauties of Sicily, among which Monreale is the undisputed queen; so thanks also to its mayor, Alberto Arcidiacono, for making it all possible.

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