San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi Church, Palermo, Italy

San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi is an ancient church in Palermo. While built by the Norman rulers, the architecture has strong Arabic influences. The builders may have been Fatimid architects. The church in 1119 was attached to a leprosarium, hence the title. The church was dedicated to St John the Baptist. The adjacent hospital no longer exists.

The church was initially commissioned in 1071 by Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily. Tradition holds the besieging Norman Army had camped near this site, near an Arabic castle, and here erected a temporary shrine, which later became the site of the church. The leprosarium was putatively built because Roger II's brother died of Leprosy. Over the years, the hospital and church was under the control of various religious orders, including the Teutonic knights.

The church, which had become a house, underwent dramatic restoration from 1920 to 1934. Centuries of accretions were removed. Some of the internal columns have capitals decorated with Kufic script.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Italy

User Reviews

Antonino Amato (3 years ago)
Ok

Andy Hernández (4 years ago)
A marvel of a church for its simplicity, beauty and history. Represents the typical and rare Sicilian Norman art. The church resembles another also dedicated to the same saint but far from the old and touristic area of Palermo. Surrounded by a small garden and all cared for by the believers.

Giuseppe D'angelo (5 years ago)
It is my parish led by a very helpful young priest. The church is fascinating, even if it is not rich in decorations, to visit. A beautiful choir animates the religious services

Vincenzo Lo Coco (5 years ago)
That magical and unique taste of a place where history and Christianity marry in a unique and magical bond full of enormous respect for the number of characters who rest here an eternal sleep. To visit absolutely.

Leo Umberto (5 years ago)
Very beautiful and particular for its shape and construction of Arab Norman origin. It is located in the southern area of Palermo, a suburb not frequented by tourists, about two kilometers from the central station. It is not included in any Operetor tour strategic plan, so it has little visibility. Sin

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.

San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi Church

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix