We recently drove around the island of Sicily for a week.  We weren’t specifically in search of World Heritage Sites, but stumbled on the most incredible cathedral in the town of Cefalú and it changed the way we thought about the trip.  By the time we got to Palermo, we were blown away by the beautiful and intricate cathedrals of this Italian island.

Along the northern coast of Sicily, remarkable cathedrals bear testament to the mix of cultures, ethnicities, and religions that have moved through the country at varying times.  These sites show the influence of Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and Byzantine/Orthodox influences with a trace of Venetian/French flair thrown in for good measure.  The cultural influence is more than just on architecture, it is on the cultural traditions that surround these sites.

The cathedrals are located in the heart of their respective cities, so they are very easy to visit.  The only one that was a challenge was Monreale because of the limited parking in this mountainside town.  It’s easiest to reach by bus from Palermo or parking in the small lot below the cathedral.

We visited:

• The Cathedral of Cefalú
• The Cathedral of Monreale
• The Cathedral of Palermo
• The Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti

If you find yourself in Sicily, we would recommend you visit the Arab-Norman Cathedrals.  We’ve visited UNESCO sites on our travels before, but these cathedrals have been some of our favorites.