Church of S. Maria dell’Ammiraglio or Martorana

The mosaics of the Martorana, like those of Cefalù and the most beautiful ones of the Cappella Palatina, are the work of a group of artists brought from Constantinople to Palermo and who worked here between 1140 and 1155. At the entrance, on the northern side of the nave, there is a dedicated mosaic in which George of Antioch is portrayed at the foot of the Virgin, this latter having remained in perfect condition. On the opposite side we find what is perhaps the Martorana’s most precious treasure: a mosaic depicting Roger II symbolically crowned by Christ.

The church, which belongs to the eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi, was the centre of legendary events that left us with sweet evidence that still remains. In September 1535 Charles V visited Palermo as a stop on his Sicilian tour. There were fragrant orange trees in the garden of the church but their fruits had not yet ripened. To remedy the inconvenience and welcome the royal guest in a lush and well-kept garden, the Benedictine nuns made oranges from almond paste and hung them on the branches, giving the garden the typical appearance of when the harvest is imminent. Thus the Martorana fruit was born, taking its name from the founder of the convent, the noblewoman Eloisa Martorana.