Cefalù

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession.

Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century.

A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred

In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful,

The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings.

In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages.



A settlement is known here since Greek times and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus first mentioned the place under the then-name Cephaloidion in 396 BC. Later Cicero speaks of it as apparently a flourishing town, enjoying full municipal privileges.

After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions.

Around 858 the city was conquered by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. Under Roger II of Sicily, the city center was moved it from its almost inaccessible position on top of the Rocca di Cefalù to the foot of the limestone rock and in the 12th century, Cefalù experienced its heyday.

The layout of the old town was created in the 12th century with the Norman church in the center. The street system was laid out in a grid pattern around it. The majority of the houses in the old town date back to the 16th century.


I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link:
www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300