Chiostro Benedettino

Chiostro Benedettino is a picturesque Benedictine cloister, a prime example of Sicilian Romanesque architecture situated in the town of Monreale, a hilltop town outside of Palermo. Inside the cloister visitors can view the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, a stunning example of Islamic and Norman architecture. The cloister holds stunning decorations in the form of 226 Corinthian columns, 116 arches, 113 capitals, and 32 windows around the courtyard. In the centre is a garden with orange and lemon trees. The chapel in the courtyard was built over the tomb of Archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio. The whole complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nearby Cathedral of Monreale and baptistry are also worth a visit while in Monreale.