San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo
Arab-Norman exterior of S. Giovanni degli Eremeti. © Paradoxplace.com.
A better view of the strong Norman exterior. Photo by Michael Wilson.
Arched windows of St. John of the Hermits. Photo by Rui Ornelas.
Photo by Rui Ornelas.
Photo by Mark and Gideon.
San Giovanni degli Eremeti (St. John of the Hermits) is a 12th-century Norman church in Palermo, Sicily. With its Arab-inspired bulbous red domes, the church is one of the most characteristic landmarks on the Palermo skyline and is the most romantic building remaining from the heyday of Norman Palermo.
San Giovanni degli Eremeti was founded in 1132 in honor of St. John of the Hermits. It was built on the grounds of a mosque and is itself influenced by the Islamic architectural tradition – it is one of the most famous of all the Arab-Norman monuments still standing in Palermo.
With an atmosphere appropriate for the hermit it honors, San Giovanni degli Eremeti is one of the most idyllic spots in Palermo.
Located on the western edge of the Albergheria district, the church is characterized by red bulbous domes (similar to those at La Cataldo), corner arches, and filigreed windows. A single nave divides the simple interior into two bays, surmounted by a dome. A small cupola tops the presbytery.
The right-hand apse is covered by one of the red domes. Surrounding the left-hand apse is a bell tower with pointed windows; it, too, is crowned by one of the church's red domes.
Nearby, a ruined cloister from a 13th-century monastery encloses pretty gardens. The medieval feel of the site is especially strong in the gardens, with their citrus blossoms and flowers, especially on a hot summer day as you wander around the cloister.
The small late Norman cloister, with a Moorish cistern in the center, was part of the original Benedictine monastery that once stood here. It has little round arches supported by fine paired columns.
Quick Facts
| Names: | San Giovanni degli Eremeti (St. John of the Hermits) |
| Date: | 1132 |
| Status: | Deconsecrated |
| Location: | Via dei Benedettini 3, Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Phone: | 091 651 5019 |
| Bus: | 109 or 318 |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 9am-1pm and 3-7pm; Sun 9am-1pm |
| Cost: | 4.50€ adults, 2€ students, seniors, and children |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of San Giovanni degli Eremeti. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Palermo Map or get our free Google Earth download.
