Sanctuary of Tindari

The sanctuary of the Madonna del Tindari stands on the top of the homonymous hill overlooking the Gulf of Patti. The new building, opened for worship in 1975, actually incorporates the old church dating back to the 16th century. In 1544, in fact, the church was it was demolished by the passage of the Turkish pirates who spared the venerated image of the brown Madonna from being sacked. Tradition has it that the simulacrum of the Virgin was carried by sea during the period of iconoclastic persecution in the East. The wooden statue of the Madonna can be dated between the end of the VIII century and the first decades of the IX century and is represented as Basilissa, that is as Queen seated on a throne , while holding the Baby Jesus on her lap holding her right hand raised, blessing. The modern Latin cross sanctuary with three naves, with a square transept and semicircular apse. it is rich in ornaments, such as stained glass windows and mosaics. There are numerous ex-votos of the faithful for grace received. The feast of the Madonna del Tindari every year, on the days of 7-8 September, gathers thousands of pilgrims who also reach the Sanctuary on foot from the most distant areas of Sicily.