The Gulf of Palermo
Best viewed large
On one morning in the mid 11th Century, Norman Knights under Count Roger de Hautville, brother of Robert Guiscard who already ruled much of Italy south of Naples, camped on these hills surrounding Palermo, then a Saracen city. With a Papal banner flying, the knights rode through the orange groves and pleasure gardens of the city to take control of Palermo and then all Sicily. There then began a period of rare, enlightened government in Medieval history when Christians, both Latins and Byzantine Orthodox, and Muslims lived in relative peace on their island in the sun.
Roger's tomb can be seen in Palermo cathedral.
The Gulf of Palermo
Best viewed large
On one morning in the mid 11th Century, Norman Knights under Count Roger de Hautville, brother of Robert Guiscard who already ruled much of Italy south of Naples, camped on these hills surrounding Palermo, then a Saracen city. With a Papal banner flying, the knights rode through the orange groves and pleasure gardens of the city to take control of Palermo and then all Sicily. There then began a period of rare, enlightened government in Medieval history when Christians, both Latins and Byzantine Orthodox, and Muslims lived in relative peace on their island in the sun.
Roger's tomb can be seen in Palermo cathedral.