Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti

Palermo


One of Palermo's finest examples of Arab-Norman architecture, this five-domed, 12th-century church is named for Sicilian hermit-monk and miraculous wolf tamer St William of Montervergine. Surrounded by a garden of citrus trees, palms, cacti and rosemary bushes, the church is built atop a mosque that itself was superimposed on a 6th-century Benedictine chapel. The tranquil grounds also house the ruins of the monastery's Norman-era cloister.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Palermo attractions

1. Cappella Palatina

0.07 MILES

Designed by Roger II in 1130, this extraordinary chapel is Palermo's top tourist attraction. Located on the middle level of Palazzo dei Normanni's three…

2. Palazzo dei Normanni

0.07 MILES

Home to Sicily's regional parliament, this venerable palace dates back to the 9th century. However, it owes its current look (and name) to a major Norman…

3. Porta Nuova

0.18 MILES

Standing confidently beside the Palazzo dei Normanni is the Porta Nuova (New Gate), built to celebrate the arrival of Carlos V in Palermo in 1535 after a…

4. Museo Diocesano di Palermo

0.29 MILES

Palermo's Diocesan Museum is home to an important collection of artworks. The basement hosts a medley of sculptures from the 15th to 18th centuries,…

5. Cattedrale di Palermo

0.33 MILES

A feast of geometric patterns, ziggurat crenellations, maiolica cupolas and blind arches, Palermo's cathedral has suffered aesthetically from multiple…

6. Mercato di Ballarò

0.39 MILES

Snaking for several city blocks southeast of Palazzo dei Normanni is Palermo's busiest street market, which throbs with activity well into the early…

7. Chiesa del Gesù

0.46 MILES

Also known as Casa Professa, this is one of Palermo's most breathtaking churches. The Jesuits first built a church on this site between 1564 and 1578…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "italy/sicily/palermo/attractions/chiesa-di-san-giovanni-degli-eremiti/a/poi-sig/458761/360009",
      "destination": "Palermo",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Italy",
      "region": "Sicily",
      "city": "Palermo",
      "position": "superzone"
    }