Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana)

Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana)

Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana)
4.5
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
About
This chapel is known for its superb gold Byzantium mosaics.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Palazzo Reale
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See what travelers are saying
  • bcp20
    40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth visiting
    Beautiful, ornate, unique. We had already visited the duomo (cattedrale di palermo) and wondered what else this church could offer. Apparently, a lot. The style is somewhat different and the scale more intimate. It was beautiful. Definitely visit.
    Visited April 2023
    Written May 1, 2023
  • irina j
    London, United Kingdom1,999 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An amazing church
    We’ve visited this church as part of our walking tour . It has a great mix of styles. Originally it was designed with Byzantine mosaic richly decorating ceiling. However later on it was enlarged. New decorations of ceiling were Baroque style from 17th century. You can see in one place where they join together and it’s almost like a time capsule with 2 deferent periods separated by centuries but beautifully preserved and joined together. Stunning place ! Would highly recommend
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 30, 2023
  • SaleDamc
    Sale, United Kingdom453 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful!
    This beautiful little 12th century church is well worth a visit. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it's mix of architectural styles and ornate decoration make it vey pleasing on the eye. Byzantine/Arab/Baroque styles all blend together with magnificent frescoes, especially in the cupola. At just 2 euro to enter, it is well worth the small fee but it can get crowded.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 29, 2023
  • Angelo Z
    Evant, Texas300 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and historic church
    Beautiful church with a rich history. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site. One of the few church’s anywhere where both Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic services and rites can be held. The cost is only €2 and well worth a visit.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 1, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,731 reviews
Excellent
2,108
Very good
542
Average
54
Poor
13
Terrible
14

Sally62
Northampton, UK5,221 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
The last time we visited, we were only able to see the mosaics from the back of the church for a minute or two as it was about to shut. This time, we made sure to visit when you were free to walk around and I would advise you to do the same. It's a small church but the mosaics are just stunning. You do have to pay to enter but you can buy a ticket that allows cheaper entry into other sites in the city too. Check the visiting times on the website before you visit and don't miss it.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kciff
Fox Island, WA1,016 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Take a seat inside you will need time to absorb the sight. The interior design is full of symmetry from the ceiling to the floor, side isles. After sitting for awhile walk around and look at the paintings. Then step outside and marvel at the architecture of the whole building which is a mix of styles with a baroque entry and a Norman tower.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David F
Msida, Malta45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019
I visted this beautiful old church some fours years ago on a organized tour with thankfully knowledgeable guides. - a scene of historic and artistic wonder, but unfortunately rather crowded when we visited. I seem to remember a remarkable mosaic showing King Roger being crowned directly by Christ, while that the building had Saracen influences and features. I would love to re-visit. Recomended.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Israel R
Ra'anana, Israel16,126 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
The Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio ( LA Martorana) established in 1143 and underwent changes and extensions during the Baroque period. The church has a plethora of stucco and enamel decorations, wonderful fresco paintings and an amazing mosaic of "Jesus Pantokrator Surrounded by Angels." One of a variety of mosaics on the walls and whichever way you look. This church is a highly recommended site NOT 2 B MISSED.
Written June 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jazzumbo
Romania1,775 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (Church of the Admiral) was built about 900 years ago by Muslim constructors for an Orthodox Christian admiral – George of Antioch, who paid mosaic crafters from Constantinople to come to Palermo and decorate it with stunning Byzantine mosaics. One of the mosaics depicts George of Antioch praying to Virgin Mary, while another one shows the Norman King Roger of Sicily receiving the power and crown directly from Jesus. After the death of the admiral, the church became Catholic and starting from XVI century went under several transformations and restorations.
Currently, some of the Byzantine mosaics, displaying messages in Greek language, are still visible near the Catholic frescoes painted in XVIII century, while the high altar is Baroque. Since George of Antioch was fluently speaking Arabic, there are also some Arabic inscriptions on two of the columns, so the mixture of styles and influences in this church is really mind-blowing.
Written October 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SaleDamc
Sale, UK453 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
This beautiful little 12th century church is well worth a visit. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it's mix of architectural styles and ornate decoration make it vey pleasing on the eye. Byzantine/Arab/Baroque styles all blend together with magnificent frescoes, especially in the cupola. At just 2 euro to enter, it is well worth the small fee but it can get crowded.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kevin0brien
Cardiff, UK161 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
This is without question one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen. The whole of the interior tells the most wonderful stories and is quite breathtaking.
Make sure you put this on your Sicily bucket list.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ANGELO V
Milan, Italy2,939 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
The church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, or La Martorana is next to the Norman Church of San Cataldo. Its name comes from Admiral George of Antioch, who founded the church in 1143.

It is characterized by a mixture of styles, due to successive enrichments along the centuries. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale.

The main cupola above the altar has wonderful bizantine mosaics from the 12th century - this is the part I personally liked best.

A side altar in baroque style is also noteworthy.
Written December 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bcp20
USA40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
Beautiful, ornate, unique. We had already visited the duomo (cattedrale di palermo) and wondered what else this church could offer. Apparently, a lot. The style is somewhat different and the scale more intimate. It was beautiful. Definitely visit.
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bex Deptford
London, UK86 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Solo
This is an amazing little gem easy to miss. It belongs to the Albanian/Arbëresh eparchy, which kept the eastern orthodox rite since they arrived here in 15th century fleeing from Turks in their homeland. The liturgy is in old Greek and old Albanian. The frescoes are divine. A glimpse into mini Condtantinople in the middle of Sicily
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana), Palermo

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