Martorana

Martorana is a term that can refer to several related subjects in Sicily, Italy. It is most commonly associated with a historic church in Palermo, as well as with a traditional Sicilian confection and, more generally, as a family name of Italian origin.

La Martorana, formally the Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio in Palermo, is a 12th-century church known for its Arab-Norman architectural style and extensive Byzantine mosaics. Built during the Norman rule of Roger II, it was later popularly nicknamed La Martorana after the Martorana family, who endowed the church. The building sits in Palermo’s historic center and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale. The interior mosaics, dating from the Byzantine-influenced period, are among the most notable examples of the era in Sicily.

Frutta martorana, also called fruit of Martorana, refers to marzipan fruits produced in Sicily, especially around All Souls’ Day. Traditionally shaped and colored to resemble real fruit, these confections are strongly associated with Palermo and, by extension, with the Martorana name through its historical convents and culinary traditions.

Martorana is also a Italian surname and may appear in reference to people or families bearing the name. In a broader sense, the term connects religious, architectural, culinary, and genealogical contexts centered in Palermo and Sicilian culture.