ヴァレルンガプラタメノ周辺のアトラクション＆必見スポット - トップ10

"Mary is truly our sister, as Saint Ambrose says. She lived a life very similar to ours. It is, of course, beautiful to venerate Mary as the Virgin and Mother of God, as the one conceived immaculately of original sin and assumed into heaven; but she is also the Madonna of plates, brooms, and cooking pots..." With the motif of the broom, Albino Luciani (Pope John Paul I) may be echoing a sentiment of his predecessor in the office of Bishop of Rome, Giuseppe Roncalli (Pope John XXIII), who is said to have said: "One can become holy with a pastoral crook in one's hand, but just as one can become holy with a broom."

"The Sanctuary of Castel Bilìci is located in what was one of the most important fiefdoms containing high concentrations of wheat. Belonging to the Ventimiglia family, the local castle served as a perfect operational base for agricultural exploitation and today only a few remains of its ancient foundations are visible, scattered around the surrounding area. These testimonies can be viewed among the more modern buildings, since they have been incorporated into the growth of the small fiefdom. The history of the ecclesiastical structure dates back a long way, since the first traces date back to the 17th century. In that period, the Franciscans of the nearby convent settled near the ancient castle, also assisting the local farmers. Therefore, the building was abandoned until 1918, when six citizens of the town of Marianopoli purchased it to spread the cult of the Holy Crucifix. Over the decades, interest in the Sanctuary has also grown thanks to the increase in the number of owners. The crucifix and other works of art of the Crucifix Sanctuary of Castel Bilìci The Sanctuary owes its name to the wooden crucifix that the Petralia family donated to Duchess Maria Fernanda Alvarez, at that time ruler of the fiefdom of Castel Bilìci. The polychrome crucifix was considered a precious gift, of fine workmanship and available in life-size. It was forged by very expert hands, which made it a spectacle for those who looked at it".

The archaeological site of the Capelvenere caves hosts a necropolis dating back to the Sican people. It is a complex system of caves dug directly into the rock. The name derives from a very particular species of fern that sprouts inside the necropolis.

Not far from the castle of Sclafani, the church of Santa Maria Assunta was probably founded as a palatine church at the service of the lords of Sclafani. It underwent important changes in the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. Of particular beauty, among the things found inside, is a Roman sarcophagus embellished with Dionysian scenes, reused for the burial of the counts of Sclafani and coming from the castle.

Church with beautiful furnishings, in particular an old Greek sarcophagus

Because next to the sanctuary there is a well-kept garden that frames the sanctuary itself

After the short detour to the ghost town you ride back past the railway station and continue towards the small village of Alia where you’ll find indications for the Gurfa caves, but in case you don’t see any, just ask for “Gurfa” and the locals will show you where to go. It is necessary to book a visit to the Gurfa caves at the tourist office, please refer to the information below. Gioacchino is one of the knowledgeable volunteers at the tourist office, make sure you call in advance. More details on www.sicilycycling.com/bike-tour-gurfa-caves

The Caves of the Gurfa are hypogea dug in very ancient times and used by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and by all the peoples who inhabited Sicily in the ages. It is said that it was the ancient tomb of Minos.