Cefalu’s Mona Lisa?

We visited the site Mandralisca Museum today in Burrell featuring an eclectic selection of objects curated by a wealthy Baron, now run by the foundation which inherited his treasures. Various rooms have paintings, which seem to be mainly by “unknown Sicilian artists’, archeological pots and stones, shells, old coins, books and stuffed birds and animals. There is also an exhibition of modern sculpture by Palermo sculpture Domenico Zora. 


Their main exhibit, however, is a portrait of an unknown man by Antonello da Massina, a 15th century Sicilian painter. The enigmatic look, made me think of the Mona Lisa. One does not know whether this man is a wealthy noble or a lowly peasant - and what is he thinking?


Afterwards, we visited Cefalu cathedral, which I found very serene and impressive. A place of tranquility. The atmosphere was so different to that in Palermo cathedral, which had been something of a disappointment inside.


Extras show collage of some museum exhibits and the interior of the cathedral.