Santuario di Santa Rosalia, Palermo

The Santa Rosalia Sanctuary is located 430m above sea level, at the top of some steps that were cut out of the rock. Built in 1625, it houses a church and a convent. The church is quite small, not more than 10m long, and goes 25m deep into the cave. This is probably where they found the relic of the "Santuzza" - or "little saint", the short name given to Santa Rosalia dai Palermitani. Upon entering the cave through an iron gate you feel a bit intimidated. At the back of the cave a simple yet impressive altar can be found, illuminated by some moveable lights. Behind the altar, carved in the rock, there is a marble statue of the Virgin Inmaculate dating from the 18th century. On the left, inside a little hole made on the stonewall, a marble figure represents the saint's head. A very moving visit.