La Martorana & San Cataldo
Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio / San Cataldo
Two neighbouring World Heritage churches: La Martorana, with Byzantine gold mosaics covering its walls, and San Cataldo, topped with three red domes.
La Martorana was built in 1143 by George of Antioch, admiral to the Norman king Roger II, and it preserves exquisite Byzantine mosaics, including a scene of Christ crowning Roger II. Later Baroque additions contrast with the mosaics, and the church now belongs to the Greek Catholic community. Next door, the Church of San Cataldo was built in the 12th century. Its exterior is plain and square, with three red hemispherical domes on the roof that show a strong Arab influence, while the interior is simple. Each church sells its own tickets for a few euros, and visits are suspended during religious services.
Opening hours
About 09:30–13:00, 15:30–17:30 (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Santa Caterina Church & Monastery
- Fontana Pretoria
- Quattro Canti
- Chiesa del Gesù (Casa Professa)
- Ballarò Market
- La Vucciria
- Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita
- Antonino Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum