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.

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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

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