Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti

All photos unless otherwise stated: Per-Erik Skramstad © Wondersofsicily.com

San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo

The campanile and the five red domes of San Giovanni degli Eremiti. The church was built by Roger II in 1132–48, now deconsecrated. The Norman Palace can be seen in the background. The cloister (13th century) has twin columns bearing pointed arches like the cloister in Monreale.

San Giovanni degli Eremiti

Columns in the cloister at San Giovanni degli Eremiti

San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo

Twin columns in the cloister at San Giovanni degli Eremiti.

The cloister at San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo.

The cloister at San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo.

San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo.

Inscription on the wall at San Giovanni degli Eremiti.

Murals in the church.

The south wall of the Norman church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti was erected using the north wall of the enclosure of an Islamic building containing the ‘Arab Hall’, a rectangular hall that was also used in construction during the Norman era, interrupted on its shorter side by the transept of the church. (Source: Pier Paolo Racioppi "Remains of an Islamic building in the complex of the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti" in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers.)

The cloister at San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo.