Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tombs along with the cathedral's other most interesting feature, the treasury (
Click here
)
and crypt.
Tesoro della Cattedrale
MUSEUM
(Cathedral Treasury; Corso Vittorio Emanuele; adult/reduced €3/1.50; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat Apr-Oct, 9.30am-1.30pm
Mon-Sat Nov-Mar)
This small collection of Norman-era jewels and religious relics is accessed
via the cathedral's right aisle. Most extraordinary is the fabulous 13th-century crown of
Constance of Aragon (wife of Frederick II), made by local craftsmen in fine gold filigree
and encrusted with gems. More bizarre treasures include the tooth and ashes of Santa Ros-
alia, kept here in silver reliquaries.
The treasury entrance ticket also grants access to the cathedral's crypt and to the Nor-
man tombs at the cathedral's southwestern corner.
Museo Diocesano
MUSEUM
( 091 60 77 215;
www.museodiocesanopa.it
; Via Matteo Bonello 2; adult €4.50, 6-17yr & 65+ €3, under 6yr free;
9.30am-1.30pm Sun & Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat)
Opposite Palermo's cathedral, this museum houses
an important collection of artworks from local churches destroyed during WWII. The
ground floor holds 15th-century frescoes, along with Byzantine paintings, icons and mo-
saics. Especially beautiful are the 1171
Madonna della Perla
, the haunting 13th-century
Madonna della Spersa
and the 12th-century
Madonna Orante
, whose face is rendered in
remarkably minuscule stones.
Seek out the room dedicated to the 17th-century Sicilian painter Pietro Novelli
(1603-47), who was one of the region's finest and served as a court painter to Spain's
ruler, Philip IV. Much influenced by Anthony Van Dyck and Raphael, Novelli often por-
trayed himself in his chiaroscuro works. The museum's basement level is a mixture of
sculpture, finds from destroyed churches, and paintings of Palermo.
Museo Regionale d'Arte
Moderna e Contemporanea
della Sicilia (Riso)
MUSEUM
( 091 32 05 32;
www.palazzoriso.it
; Palazzo Riso, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 365; adult €6, youth 18-25yr €3, under
18yr & 60+ free;
10am-7.30pm Sat, Sun, Tue & Wed, 10am-9.30pm Thu & Fri)
The newest addition to
