Sanctuario di Santa Rosalia (Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia), Palermo

The Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, located just outside the urban areas of Palermo on Mount Pellegrino, is a prominent religious site steeped in history and tradition. Established in 1624, the sanctuary marks the discovery of the relics of Saint Rosalia, a 12th-century saint, in a nearby cave. This event is credited with helping to end a plague in Palermo, leading to the canonization of Saint Rosalia as one of the city’s patron saints.

The sanctuary itself is perched against a dramatic stone cliff and is accessed by ascending over 70 steps from a collection of souvenir stands to the main building. This building features a church façade that integrates seamlessly with the cliff on one side, and on the other side, displays a frieze dedicated to a former orphanage for girls managed by the Orionine brothers since 1946.

Historically, the location has been a spiritual center since the 12th century, originally attracting hermits. By the 15th century, it was home to an eremitic community that later aligned with the Franciscan order. Despite the suppression of the associated monastery in 1626, the site has continued to draw pilgrims and tourists alike.

Notable visitors include Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who in 1787 praised the modesty of the site as fitting for the humility of Saint Rosalia, contrasting with the grandeur of the festivities in her honor. The sanctuary’s annual festival has been described variously over the centuries, with comparisons to pagan celebrations and detailed descriptions of the challenging ascent up Mount Pellegrino.

Inside, the sanctuary houses a notable marble sculpture of Saint Rosalia created by Gregorio Tedeschi in 1625, with additional adornments added in 1735 by King Charles III of Sicily. The main grotto features a decorated, candle-lit cavern and a standing statue of the saint. The site also exhibits various historical donations, including many in silver and gold.

Surrounding features include a ground labyrinth made of stones and, further afield, the once-accessible Grotta dell'Addaura with its Neolithic depictions. To the north, a statue of Santa Rosalia, equipped with a lightning rod due to historical damage by lightning, overlooks the sea.