sight
In Norman times, especially during the reign of Roger II, Palermo was becoming more and more enriched with magnificent buildings every day. The Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, built ex novo at the behest of Admiral George of Antioch, stands in the luminous Piazza Bellini in the historic centre of Palermo, occupying a privileged position on a hill next to the Church of San Cataldo and opposite the Church of Santa Caterina.
taste
From 1434, the church was entrusted to the Benedictine nuns of the nearby monastery, founded in 1193 by Goffredo and Eloisa Martorana. The church, thus connected to the convent, began being called “La Martorana”. The Martorana nuns are linked to a singular and very tasty tradition, that of the fruit known as ‘di martorana’. Today, it is one of the sweets that symbolises Sicilian confectionery throughout the world. It is said that Benedictine nuns used to bake small cakes, made of royal or almond paste, using honey and almond flour, which were shaped like fruit and were characterised by their bright colours and sweet smell.
hearing
In the brightly lit square, you can hear the carefree sounds of children playing catch and the chatter of adults strolling peacefully by. Do you hear that? The ladies almost parade through the square, showing off their luxurious gowns made of fine cloth. For a moment, no one thinks about the labours of work. Today’s Piazza Bellini, a jewel in the historic center of Palermo, was already an important city center in medieval times.
