la Martorana

The church of la Martorana is annexed next to the church of San Catalado Construction of la Martorana is thought to have started in 1143 or earlier There are preserved Greek and Arab texts that journal the founding of the la Martorana The elements around the door are more recent additions from the 19th century

The towers associated with the churches in Italy are called campanile The campanile here is done in Romanesque style

The inside is covered with mosaics which were created by skilled Byzantine artists

As always, the central pieces are images of Christ Pantocrator

In the center of this shot is an image depicting the 'death of the virgin' On the ceiling the right is a more recent 19th century fresco

The view of the ceiling towards the central nave

The campanile is the most distinctive exterior element of the church