After the fall of the Western Roman Empire it was a Byzantine stronghold and during the Islamic period the religious and moral capital of the Greek and Christian orthodox part of Sicily; Roger I of Sicily had in its castle (which he captured in 1061) also a start base of his conquest of the island.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, this location became a Byzantine stronghold and during the Islamic period, it was a significant religious and moral center for Greek and Christian Orthodox people in Sicily; Roger I of Sicily used its castle (which he captured in 1061) as a base for his conquest of the island.