Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo

Located near the Royal Palace, the Abbey Church of St. John of the Hermits (San Giovanni degli Eremiti) is another fine example of 12th century Norman-Arab construction here in Palermo. That it was built upon a mosque may account for its particularly Arabic style, with five reddish cupolas. (Incidentally, we do not know for certain whether these cupolas were originally red.) The bell tower is the only part of the building that has a distinctively Norman appearance, with its Gothic lines and mullioned windows. Were it not for the bell tower, Saint John's could easily be mistaken for a mosque.

The construction of St. John of the Hermit's was ordered by Roger II in 1130 for the Benedictine Order. St. John's visual impact results mostly from its external features, with its charming Arabesque domes amidst the surrounding trees and gardens, and an elegant cloister, probably a 13th century addition constructed in the Romanesque style, though it combines harmoniously with the Church and its surrounding gardens.

The Church of St. John of the Hermits is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 to 1 and 3 to 7. On Sundays, the Church is only open in the morning from 9 to 1. There is a nominal admission fee

Roger II had erected it in 1142.

The annexed monastery was one of the most privileged and the richest of the Norman domination also because it was the seat of the abbot. Who was the King's confessor and according to a royal decree members of the royal family were to be buried in the cementery of the abbey. But this decree was never applied.


The Church, now deconsecrated, is one of the most typical monuments of the Norman domination in Palermo.

This church was built in the 12th century. Back then it was particularly favoured by the then monarch, Roger II. Now, it's a deconsecrated shell. It was built atop the ruins of a mosque, and you can see an Arabic influence in its ochre domes. Once past the entrance, you walk up through the citrus gardens into the main church. There's not really much to see inside; there's a battered old fresco but nothing else in the way of decoration. Also part of the grounds are the ruins of the cloisters, a very pretty but also small area. But the most striking thing about the church and its gardens is how peaceful it is. For that alone it's worth visiting: it's one of the few places in Palermo that feels entirely at rest, and for once you can barely even hear the traffic. It costs around 4 euros 20 to get in, with age related discounts up to 25 and over 65.

Not far from the Palazzo dei Normanni we found this little church (Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremeti) with very peaceful cloisters and garden. The church is built by both Normans and Arabs. Inside, the church is quite bare. It's the cloisters you should come here for, if only to find some rest from the busy city life of Palermo.

The annexed monastery was one of the most privileged and the richest of the Norman domination also because it was the seat of the abbot. Who was the King's confessor and according to a royal decree members of the royal family were to be buried in the cementery of the abbey. But this decree was never applied.

The Church, now deconsecrated, is one of the most typical monuments of the Norman domination in Palermo.

I couldn't enter inside since we weren't having small coins and I got very angry with the guy on info.

San Giovanni Degli Eremiti, a cherry-domed Norman church adjoined by ruined cloister grounds. The interior of the church is very small and spare, decorated only with this damaged fresco. The real draw is the atmospheric ruins of the cloister.

This little church dates from the 12th century and is build in Normandic style. Typical for this church are the five red domes on top of the church.This church has also a beautiful little garden.

There's the tower of the church, with the cloister ruins in the foreground.