Most incredible Mosque converted to church

Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale

Palermo, Sicily, Italy

UNESCO world heritage. A combination of Norman, moorish, Arab, gothic, baroque architecture.

Architecturally complex, as characterized by the presence of different styles, due to a long history of additions, alterations and restorations.

Arab records mention the existence of a large "infidel" temple present on this site when they conquered Palermo in 831. This was turned into the Great Mosque. In early 1072, when the Normans wrested control of Palermo from the Saracens, Count Roger (Roger I) promptly saw to it that the great mosque was reconsecrated as a Christian church