San Giovanni degli Eremiti or Saint John of the Hermits is one of those exotic Arabesque places that showcase Sicily’s blend of cultures and styles without prejudice.

They think there are bits of St. John’s that go back to the late 500’s AD but the bulk of what we see here is from the 1140’s. The  bulk of church and its grounds were constructed during the Norman rule of Sicily, a period characterized by a blend of Norman, Arab, and Byzantine influences. It is believed to have been built around the mid-12th century, possibly between 1130 and 1148, during the reign of King Roger II. I personally can’t get enough of those strange dusty red domes.

San Giovanni degli Eremiti stands as a testament to the multicultural history of Sicily, reflecting the coexistence and interaction of these different civilizations.My favorite picture is the last one in this series. The grounds within the sanctuary are so tranquil and cut off from the buzzsaw Vespas and constant car horns that make up the ambiance of Palermo, in this enclosure you hear none of that.