Sicily for me is a sacred place–not only because my ancestors came from the island, but also because its natural beauty is awe-inspiring. The landscape and sea pulsate with the divine. No matter what your religious practice is (or not), I think that when one stands in the center of the island on the mountaintop at Enna where there once was a temple to Demeter (the ancient Greek goddess of the grain), it is a spiritual experience! Or at the site where there once was a temple for Venus at Erice (pictured); the Sanctuary for the Black Madonna at Tindari; or just about anywhere on Mount Etna!
Yes, of course, if I was to list what are considered traditionally sacred sites in Sicily, I would say Monreale Cathedral, the Church of the Gesù at Casa Professa, the Church of San Domenico in Castelveltrano, and the chapel for Santa Lucia at the Duomo of Siracusa. I would even present to you the chapel for the Madonna del Lume at Capo Zafferano; Ragusa’s Church of Saint Mary of the Stairs; Santa Rosalia’s Sanctuary on Mount Pellegrino; or Catania’s Cathedral of Saint Agatha. In my opinion, the divine is in the heart of the beholder and Sicily offers countless opportunities to feel it. For example, if you are seeking a personal quest, consider the ancient pilgrimage trek across the island, the Magna Via Francigena, which is “the great road of the Frankish knights,” an ancient path that connects Palermo and Agrigento and has been walked by travelers and pilgrims for centuries.
However you want to connect with the sacred, we at Experience Sicily can help you do that through a custom itinerary with our Concierge Design and Support Service. We’ll support your quest for something otherworldly. Seek more details at link in bio or https://experiencesicily.com/custom-travel-planning-for-sicily/
