Santa Maria dell' Ammiraglio (La Martorana)

Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio - usually called La Martorana was built in 1143, but had its interior altered during the baroque period. The church features an elegant Norman campanile.

Some of the oldest and best-preserved mosaic artwork of the Norman period you can see high along the western wall. Near the entrance is a mosaic showing Christ crowning King Roger II - the latter  is dressed in a bejeweled Byzantine stole. Archangels along the ceiling wear the same stole wrapped around their shoulders and arms.

Check before visiting if the church is open (the church was closed for restoration at the time of writing).

Free entrance