Photo: Jeanne boleyn · CC0 · editedCefalu Coast
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Jeanne boleyn · CC0 · edited
Why go
- Christ Pantocrator in the apse of the Norman cathedral, begun in 1131, with mosaics still in place
- The summit of the Rocca: extensive Norman castle remains and the foundations of a Doric temple
- The medieval washhouse on Via Vittorio Emanuele, fed by 22 cast iron spouts, 15 shaped as lion heads
- The megalithic walls from the late 5th century BC that still largely surround the historic centre
Tips for your visit
- The old town's streets are paved with beach pebbles and limestone from the rock.
- Corso Ruggero and Via Vittorio Emanuele are the two main streets, both running north to south.
- Porta Marina, the only surviving city gate of the old town, stands on Via Vittorio Emanuele.
- A sandy beach stretches west of the old town, so you can walk there from the streets.
Interesting facts2
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The old town lies at the foot of the Rocca di Cefalù, a 270 m high limestone cliff.
Cefalù - Wikipedia -
The municipal theatre on via Spinuzza was once used as a plague lazaretto.
Cefalù - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
The Greeks named the settlement Kephaloídion, after the lofty rock that forms a headland. It was taken after a long siege in 858. The town was refounded on the coast in 1131, and many of its monuments date from then.
- PrehistoricPrehistoric traces survive in two caves on the north side of the promontory.
- fourth century BCThe Greeks name the settlement Kephaloídion, from its lofty rock forming a headland.
- Byzantine eraThe settlement moves from the plain up onto the rock spur for defence.
- 858The settlement is taken after a long siege.
- 1131The cathedral is begun in Norman style, and the town is refounded on the coast.
Show all
- 16th centuryMost houses in the old town date from this century.
- 2015The cathedral is declared a UNESCO heritage site.
Sources: Cefalù - Wikipedia · Cefalù - Wikipedia · Cefalù - Wikipedia · Cefalù - Wikipedia · checked 26 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
How do I get to the old town of Cefalù by train?
The town lies on the Fiumetorto–Messina railway line. The data gives no timetable or walking time from the station.
Is there a beach near the old town of Cefalù?
Yes. A sandy beach stretches west of the old town, so you can walk there from its streets.
Where is the Porta Marina gate in Cefalù?
Porta Marina is the only surviving city gate of the old town. It stands on Via Vittorio Emanuele.
What is the Christ Pantocrator in Cefalù cathedral?
It is a large image of Christ Pantocrator in the apse of the cathedral. Only the apse and the last choir bay keep their mosaics.
How high is the Rocca di Cefalù?
The Rocca is a 270 m high limestone cliff. The old town lies at its foot, and the summit holds Norman castle remains.
Is the cathedral of Cefalù a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The cathedral is one of nine structures in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 2015.
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