The Normans

Naturally, no Muslim capital was safe from the Christian Norman crusaders! Conquered again in 1072 by the Normans, Palermo entered into a golden age architecturally as mosques were converted to churches and new castles were built.

Many of the unique structures built in this era still stand as marvels, such as the San Giovanni degli Eremiti church, the Palatine Chapel, and the Zisa.