Cefalù: Museo Mandralisca

Not far from the duomo is Palazzo Mandralisca … the former family home of Baron Enrico Pirajno. Today the palazzo houses a museum.

During his short lifetime, the Baron — described as “… a man of vast culture with many humanistic and scientific interests, …” — assembled an eclectic collection of art [a great deal of it religious in nature], archaeological artifacts, ancient coins, and other rare and precious items. In his will, he donated to the town not only his collection, but also much of his land and buildings, stating that they were to serve as the foundation of the Liceo Mandralisca Classics School. He wanted the establishment to promote “…education and the cultural and civic growth of the community. …”

Baron Mandralisca’s collection has since been augmented with donations from others. As well, there is an exhibition on the second floor featuring the sculptures of Domenic Zora, a sculptor from Palermo. From what I gathered, the exhibition is a collaboration to increase the museum’s contemporary art collection.

Popular though the museum is — especially on a day with on and off rain — we lucked out with our timing and had the place almost entirely to ourselves. (Admission €10pp.)

Following our time at the museum, we meandered back to the apartment … stopping along the way at a park with a café so that Mui could get himself an afternoon pick-me-up … an espresso.

No swim-time for Mui this afternoon … it was overcast and cool, and the that had been smooth this morning was now churning, with waves crashing ashore.

Our evening at home was a quiet one … dinner consisted of snacks we had picked up our first night in Cefalù. With tomorrow being moving day, we packed our bags in preparation for our departure. We’re now all set for the next leg of our trip. Time to sit back and chill before an early bedtime.Read more