CEFALÙ
This charming and graceful little town faces the Tyrrhenian sea from a promontory overhung by a huge, rough outcrop of the mountains. Because of its favourable climate and outstanding natural and artistic features, it is counted among the touristic jewels of the Palermo province. It carries on a flourishing tourist trade, while its other economic activities are fishing and farming. The origins of the place are very ancient, dating perhaps from prehistoric times; there are references around the fourth century B.C. to a Cephaloedion allied to the Carthaginians in the war against Syracuse. The placename is obviously connected with the peculiar shape of the rock that gives the town its character. Subjected by the Syracusans, it went through various stages before becoming a satellite of Rome (third century B.C.). In the second half of the ninth century A.D. it gravitated to the Arab emirate of the capital. Taken over by the Normans (eleventh century), the town grew considerably and had many large buildings added to it; it later became a feud of the powerful houses of Chiaramonte and Ventimiglia. In the second half of last century Cefalù took an active if not very successful part in the revolt against the Bourbons.