San Giovanni degli Eremiti

San Giovanni degli Eremiti sits on Via dei Benedettini in the Albergheria district of Palermo, Sicily, about five minutes on foot from Palazzo dei Normanni. The church dates from the 12th century and was built under the Norman king Roger II on the site of an earlier mosque. It is part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo listing. The building is best known for its five red domes, which are instantly recognisable in views of the city and which show the strong Islamic influence on Norman architecture in Sicily. The interior is bare and simple, with plain stone walls and no surviving mosaics, which gives it a quiet and contemplative feel. Next to the church is a small cloister with paired columns and pointed arches, planted with palms, citrus and other Mediterranean vegetation. The cloister is the most photographed part of the site and the best place to sit for a few minutes. A garden extends beyond the cloister with paths among the plants. The visit is short, usually 30 to 45 minutes, and the site is small enough that it does not feel crowded outside the peak hours. Morning or late afternoon gives the softest light on the domes, and midday sun in summer is harsh and hot. Visitors can take photographs of the domes from the garden paths and from the lane outside the entrance. Admission is about EUR 6, and a joint ticket with the Cathedral has been offered, so ask at the ticket office. The site is easily combined with the Cappella Palatina, and it makes a restful stop after the busier palace.