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Duomo di Cefalù

Churches & cathedrals ·Cefalù ·Closed
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#1Churches & cathedrals in CefalùTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Duomo di Cefalu is a Norman-style cathedral basilica on Piazza Duomo in Cefalu, Sicily, known for its Byzantine apse mosaics.

More photos 11

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Duomo di Cefalù — Cathedral façade and twin towers viewed from the front Veselina Dzhingarova · CC BY 2.0 · edited
Duomo di Cefalù — Cathedral façade and twin towers viewed from the frontDuomo di Cefalù — Cathedral façade and towers seen from the piazzaDuomo di Cefalù — Twin towers and cathedral façade above the broad staircaseDuomo di Cefalù — Cefalù cathedral rising above the town rooftopsDuomo di Cefalù — Cathedral apse and adjoining historic buildings viewed from nearbyDuomo di Cefalù — Cathedral and Cefalù town along the rocky coastDuomo di Cefalù — Cathedral seen across Cefalù rooftops beside the seaDuomo di Cefalù — Dark interior view toward the cathedral's golden apse mosaicDuomo di Cefalù — Cathedral nave and richly decorated golden apseDuomo di Cefalù — Close upward view of the ornate apse and ceiling mosaicsDuomo di Cefalù — Decorated cathedral ceiling and apse viewed from below

Why go

  • The Christ Pantocrator mosaic on the apse, a bust on gold, considered the finest Byzantine mosaic in Italy.
  • The view over Cefalu from the tower, at its best at blue hour.
  • The Porta Regum, a finely decorated marble portal under the portico.

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30Show all
Monday10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30
Tuesday10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30
Wednesday10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30
Thursday10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30
Friday10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30
Saturday10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30
Sunday10:00 – 13:00, 15:30 – 18:30

Don't miss

  • Baptismal fontCarved from one block of stone, with four small sculpted lions.Inside the church12th century
  • Pink granite and cipolin columnsFourteen pink granite columns and two of cipolin divide the nave. Their bases and capitals date from the 2nd century AD.Inside the nave2nd century AD
  • Norman towersThe two towers of the facade have spires added in the 15th century.The facade, Piazza Duomo15th century
  • Terraced forecourtA large terraced forecourt lies in front of the church. It was originally a cemetery.In front of the facade, Piazza Duomo
  • Portico by Ambrogio da ComoA portico in late Gothic style, added between the two towers of the facade.In front of the facade1472

Know before you go

  • Open every day, 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 18:30.
  • Tickets are bought online, each one for a set time slot.
  • The all-inclusive ticket takes visitors behind the altar for a closer look at the mosaic.
  • The Il Segno cooperative runs the reception and information services for visits to the cathedral.

Legends and hidden details

  • According to legend, Roger vowed to build a great church after a storm at sea threatened his ship.
  • The story says he promised to build the church wherever he first touched land after the storm.
  • Tradition says the forecourt in front of the church was made with earth brought from Jerusalem.
  • Historians link the church's construction to political motives, given its fortress-like look.

Interesting facts5

1/5

  1. It counts among nine structures inside one UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Cefalù Cathedral - Wikipedia

  2. Its three apses repeat a layout also found at Monreale Cathedral.

    Cefalù Cathedral - Wikipedia

  3. Each mosaic figure has its name written in both Latin and Greek.

    Duomo di Cefalù - Wikipedia
  4. 600 square

    The mosaics cover more than 600 square metres of the presbytery.

    Duomo di Cefalù - Wikipedia

  5. Below the apse, the Madonna prays alongside four archangels: Raffaele, Michele, Gabriele and Uriele.

    Duomo di Cefalù - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Roger died in Palermo in 1154 and was buried there, not here. Building was interrupted several times, and the façade was completed in 1240. Roger II brought mosaic masters from Constantinople, and the apse mosaics carry an inscription dating them to 1148.

  1. 1131Construction begins under King Roger II of Altavilla.
  2. 1145Roger II has two porphyry tombs made, one for his remains and one as a cenotaph.
  3. 1148The apse mosaics are completed, as an inscription dates them.
  4. 1215Frederick II moves the two empty tombs to Palermo.
  5. 1240The façade is completed, showing the Hauteville rulers from Roger II to Frederick II.
Show all
  1. 1267The church is consecrated.
  2. April 2019The towers open to visitors for the first time.

Sources: Cefalù Cathedral - Wikipedia · Ticket Duomo di Cefalù - The Towers of the Cath… · Ticket Duomo di Cefalù - The Towers of Cefalù C… · Ticket Duomo di Cefalù - Il Duomo di Cefalù tra… · Kathedrale von Cefalù - Wikipedia · Cathédrale de Cefalù - Wikipedia · Duomo di Cefalù - Wikipedia · Duomo di Cefalu: description (its own site) · checked 25 Oct 2026

Where
Piazza Duomo, 10, Cefalu

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What are the opening hours of Duomo di Cefalu?

It is open every day, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:30 to 18:30.

Where is Duomo di Cefalu?

It stands on Piazza Duomo, number 10, in Cefalu, Sicily.

Can you see the cloister at Duomo di Cefalu?

Yes. The cloister was restored in 2003 and is open to visitors, and it can be reached from inside the church.

Can you see the view from the towers of Duomo di Cefalu?

Yes. The towers opened to visitors for the first time in April 2019, and the view over the town is best at blue hour.

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