The Church of San Cataldo in Palermo

The Church of San Cataldo in Palermo, built in 1154, is one of the finest examples of Arab-Norman architecture. It features distinctive Islamic stylistic elements, including its three iconic red domes, hemispherical roofing, blind arches, and a simple cubic form—characteristics strongly associated with Fatimid architectural traditions.

The church was commissioned by the Norman admiral Maio of Bari and constructed by Muslim artisans at a time when the Normans had consolidated control over Palermo, but much of the population remained Muslim. Indeed, the island’s most skilled craftsmen were still Muslim, which explains the enduring Islamic aesthetic in many structures from this period.

Although hundreds of mosques—reportedly over 300—were destroyed or repurposed following the Norman conquest, Islamic architectural influence persisted. As a result, many churches built in Norman Sicily, including San Cataldo, retain clear and striking elements of Islamic design, reflecting a unique moment of cultural and artistic synthesis.