During the Norman domination, Sicily experimented a period of cultural syncretism, whose memory is kept intact thanks to the extraordinary monuments that still testify this vitality. These buildings are characterized by their amazing decorative apparatuses, which is expression of heterogeneous cultural components, namely the Islamic and the Byzantine, that were melted together marvelously. All of these elements are particularly evident in the monuments of Palermo because it was the leading centre of the time.
Consequently, our private guided tour will show you outstanding monuments such as Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina, which are the true centre of the Norman power and the city since it was the old castrum of the Aghlabid era (9th century). The Norman rulers wanted to improve their authority through a system of alliances with the Church. Therefore, it is still possible to see several religious buildings of this period, such as the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, in the downtown area of the city.
In the afternoon, we will visit the churches of San Cataldo and Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio ("La Martorana") and, finally, the day tour will let you discover the remains of the complex system of parks created by the Normans, where the Zisa’s palace, which is decorated with pavilions and fountains, represents one of the masterpieces of this prosperous era.
All these monuments show architectonic and decorative features characterized by a unique combination of heterogeneous elements thanks to the extraordinary synthesis of Muslim, Byzantine, and Norman-Gothic traditions. This is why the city has received UNESCO praise.
