Church Of Santa Maria Dell’ammiraglio, “La Martorana” - Church Of San Cataldo.
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The
“Martorana” and the San Cataldo Norman churches, in the old city
centre, are two outstanding religious buildings dating back to 1143 and
1160, respectively. The Martorana was built by Roger II’s Admiral (hence
the name of the church), George of Antioch. In the course of the centuries,
the original structure has undergone considerable demolitions and
alterations, particularly in the 16C, when the present Baroque façade was
erected. In 1221 it was entrusted to the Greek clergy and then, in 1433,
to the Benedictine convent established by the noblewoman Eloisa Martorana
in 1194, which explains the additional name given to the church. |
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Left: King Roger crowned by Jesus. Right : "The Nativity" |
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