Normally on September 4, devotees of Santa Rosalia, Palermo’s patroness, recognize their protectress with a solemn pilgrimage to her sanctuary at the top of Mount Pellegrino. They pay homage to the maiden who died on this day in 1166, with prayers, solitude, and a trek up the mountain barefoot or on their knees. This year…
Tag: monte pellegrino
September 4 and La Santuzza
Palermo’s patroness, Santa Rosalia, is recognized on September 4, the day she died in 1166, with a solemn pilgrimage to her sanctuary (pictured) at the top of Mount Pellegrino. The facade you see covers the opening to a large cave, where, in 1624, a sleeping hunter had a vision of the little-known, medieval-era saint. In…
Vintage Palermo Scene
Antique postcard of the Port of Palermo with Mount Pellegrino in the background. Thanks to Roberta, who found a pile of these in her home, for thinking of me!
Thanks to a Lost Hunter
During the late spring and summer of 1624, Palermo was under siege from a plague that cursed more than 10,000 inhabitants. Things were looking pretty bleak until in early July, when a lost hunter had a vision (as illustrated by this image, located at the saint’s sanctuary on Mount Pellegrino): Santa Rosalia appeared to him…
Palermo Panorama
Our view of Palermo today from Monte Pellegrino was spectacular! The weather has been fantastic and the hospitality, as usual, heartwarming and wonderful!
Rosalia’s Cave
Palermo’s patron, Santa Rosalia, is recognized on September 4, the day she died in 1166, with a pilgrimage to her sanctuary at the top of Palermo’s Mount Pellegrino. Pictured is the sanctuary’s chapel that is housed inside the cave where a hunter in 1624 had a vision of the little-known, medieval-era saint. In the vision,…
Mount Pellegrino, 1950
Mount Pellegrino from Mondello, 1950. Photo by my Uncle Stefano.
At the Shrine of Santa Rosalia
My cousin Mario, my grandmother, my father, and my cousin Pino in 1950 at the Shrine to Santa Rosalia on Monte Pellegrino in Palermo.
Sunset over Palermo and Mount Pellegrino
Sunset over Palermo and Mount Pellegrino from Aspra.
Fisherman at Aspra
Fisherman amidst the boats at Aspra with Monte Pellegrino in the background.