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The world's first admiral built this mosaic-lined medieval church, which still holds mass in ancient Greek.
Hidden away in the Piazza Bellini lies an old 12th-century church. Behind its unappealing Spanish Baroque façade is an impressive relic from when Palermo was the wealthiest port in western Europe. This building, known as the Martorana, is officially called the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio - a tribute to its founder George of Antioch. He was originally a Syrian-Greek adventurer who started out working for Zirid Sultan Tamim ibn Muizz before ultimately finding his way to Palermo at the court of Roger II, King of the Normans. His tenure there saw him become commander of Sicily's growing navy.
