La Martorana (church)

The Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, commonly known as La Martorana, is a historic church and monastery in Palermo, Sicily, dating back to the 12th century. Originally built as a Benedictine monastery, it showcases a blend of Norman architecture and Byzantine mosaics, highlighting the region’s diverse cultural influences. The church is renowned for its stunning gold mosaics depicting biblical scenes and saints, reflecting Byzantine artistic traditions. Today, La Martorana serves both as a religious site and a significant historical monument, admired for its architectural beauty and rich cultural heritage that illustrates Sicily’s confluence of Eastern and Western cultures.