When did the Muslim conquest of Sicily begin and end?
The Muslim conquest of Sicily began in 827 when a force landed at Mazara del Vallo on the 15th of July 827. The Emirate of Sicily ended in 1091 when Noto fell to the Normans.
Questions about History of Islam in southern Italy
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who led the initial campaign for the invasion of Sicily in 827?
Asad ibn al-Furat led the initial campaign but died during a siege of Syracuse due to plague. Reinforcements arrived in 830 with 30,000 African and Spanish troops under new leadership.
Where were the last Muslims of Sicily deported to by Frederick II?
Frederick II ordered the deportation of Muslims to the settlement of Lucera in 1245. Their numbers eventually reached between 15,000 and 20,000 people before the city was sacked in 1300.
Which Italian mainland cities were captured by Arab forces in the 9th century?
Bari was captured by Muslims either in 840 or 847 and remained under control for twenty-five years. Taranto was also occupied starting in 840 but lost in 880.
When did the Ottoman Turkish fleet invade Otranto and what happened to the population?
In 1480 an Ottoman Turkish fleet invaded Otranto and captured the city along with its fort. The population was massacred after refusing to convert to Islam.