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827 Beginning of Arab invasion with
landing of 10,000 Arabs, Berbers and Spanish Muslims (collective term
Saracens) at Mazara del Vallo
832 Arabs conquer Palermo making it their capital.
Palermo becomes one of the most populated and cosmopolitan centres in the
world. Trade flourishes, sophisticated irrigation systems built. Taxes
reduced and an era of religious tolerance begins.
Toponimes (Calta….,Gibil….)citrus trees, egg-plant and others. |
The Zisa in Palermo
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The Arabs were good rulers and
Sicily prospered.
The cities grew, commerce flourished and the arts blossomed. Both jews and
christians were tolerated by the new rulers, and they were allowed to
remain, to practise their religion and work as before. The only
discriminatory element were higher taxes for non-muslims. |
