The church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti dates back to 581 as a Benedictine monastery. Converted into a mosque during the Islamic conquest of Sicily, it was returned to the Benedictine order around 1136 with the taking of the island by the Normans.
The Palatine Chapel was built between 1130 and 1140 for the use of the first Norman king of Sicily, Roger II. It is an emblematic building of the Arab-Norman style. The chapel is filled with golden mosaics in Byzantine style. They were made by Greek artists called for this purpose by Roger II. They date back to the 12th century but have undergone numerous restorations and repairs over the years. The chapel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
Palermo Cathedral was founded in 1185 on an ancient Roman basilica turned into a mosque in the 9th century. The building combines many different styles, ranging from Norman to Moorish and Baroque. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
The Martorana or Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio was built in the 12th century in the Arab-Norman style. Despite numerous restructuring and renovation, the Martorana is known for having incredibly well preserved 12th-century Byzantine mosaics. It is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 2015.
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