カステッラーナシキュラ周辺のアトラクション＆必見スポット - トップ20

The dedication of this shrine, dedicated to the Madonna, refers to the town of Loreto. This is one of the major and most important Marian pilgrimage sites in Europe, along with Lourdes in the French Pyrenees and Fatima in Portugal. Unlike the other two, however, Loreto is not known for apparitions of the Virgin Mary. There, pilgrims can see something very tangible: the house where Mary grew up in Nazareth (Israel). Her parents—not mentioned by name in the biblical writings of the New Testament—are named in apocryphal traditions: Saint Anne and Saint Joachim are thus the grandparents of Jesus Christ (their feast day in the liturgical calendar is July 26). It is likely that Crusaders, as the era of the Christian kingdoms in the Holy Land came to an end towards the end of the 13th century, dismantled the venerated building in Nazareth and transported it to Europe. However, this very sober assumption is contrasted by a much more interesting legend: According to this legend, four angels carried out the translation and flew the house across the Mediterranean.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Alto, located at 1,819 meters on Monte Alto, is one of the highest Marian shrines in Italy and offers a sweeping view of Sicily. On clear days, it is said that from here you can see much of the island, all the way to Mount Etna, and sometimes even the sea.

A large metal summit cross, easy access from Ref. Crispi, wonderful landscape in the Parco delle Madonie, views in all directions, the most spectacular certainly to Castelbuono towards the sea (N)...it's worth it...also later on the stop at the CAS hut Ref. Crispi

What a fantastic view from up here! (360°). A wooden sign marks the summit (Sicily's second highest!). The path is steep on all sides but always easy to walk, never really exposed; only loose rocks could pose a problem. The area was apparently quite busy in the past (ski lifts, etc.), but nature is slowly reclaiming the infrastructure...great beech "groves"!

Unfortunately, when I visited in May 2024 it was completely covered in clouds. But normally there is a fantastic view of the Madonie.

The "Fratel Biagio Conte" Nature Trail, an easy walk, runs along a forest road that from Portella Colla first descends gently to the forest gate and then climbs part of the northern slope of Cozzo Sella. Among the native beech, maple, and holly trees, you'll also encounter Madonie fir trees, introduced by the joint efforts of the Park Authority, the University of Palermo, and the State Forestry Company of the Sicily Region. Along the trail, you can observe native flora and fauna in a natural and landscape setting of rare beauty. It's no coincidence that this location was chosen by Brother Biagio for a period of hermitage at the forest refuge you'll encounter along the trail. Continuing, you'll reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Piano Mirabilici valley, a karst sinkhole that characterizes the area. In the background, Monte Cervi with its magnificent continental beech forest. We invite you to walk the path in silence and leave no trace of your passage. Nine panels along the path invite pilgrims to observe and reflect, just as Brother Biagio loved to do.

I have been there several times and have never seen the church open. But the place is still very beautiful, especially the panoramic path to the right of the church.

Pizzo Palermo and Pizzo Principessa are also easy to plan, even if there are no specially marked paths there.