Tag Archives: Palermo

July 12, 2012 · 11:55 am

Magical Mondello Sicily and the Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia

: Image via Wikipedia

Take a short bus ride from Palermo to the delightful resort town of Mondello where wealthy Palermitani erected splendid art nouveau villas. It is surrounded by Monte Gallo and Monte Pellegrino. The 15^th century watchtowers protect the bay. Here’s a link to an interesting video about the area

http://www.5min.com/Video/Visit-Palermo-in-Sicily-256546491

Dine on the terrace of Ristorante Charleston in Mondello on Via Regina Elena overlooking the bay for an incredible “Vino con Vista.” Order the “Risotto ai Sapori di Sicilia” (Sicilian flavored risotto) and earn your Buon Ricordo plate covered with hand-painted citrus fruits. Have a glass of Bianco D’Alcamo as you gaze at the incredible Conca d’Oro hills that curve around the bay. Go to the beach and swim in the delightful azure water. There is an annual beach festival in the second week of May.

Riserva naturale Monte Pellegrino Palermo, Sicily Scuderie Reali (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DGJ_2131 – Chapel of Saint Rosalia (Photo credit: archer10 (Dennis) OFF)

Monte Pellegrino (Photo credit: ingirogiro)

Then travel to Monte Pellegrino. Perched at the top of Monte Pellegrino you can visit the sanctuary of Saint Rosalia. Her statue welcomes visitors to the sanctuary that was erected over a cave where she lived and prayed. She dedicated herself to a life of prayer and penance.

golden saint rosalia. (Photo credit: gr0uch0)

Monte Pellegrino in Palermo (Riserva naturale Monte Pellegrino) Monte Pellegrino in Palermo (Riserva naturale Monte Pellegrino) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

She died in 1166 and was beatified and adopted as the patron saint of the city of Palermo. One of the miracles attributed to her is the end of the Plague that ravaged Sicily in the 17^th century. It was brought in by a Tunisian ship in 1624.

26.08.2000 – Palermo, Monte Pellegrino, Santa Rosalia (Photo credit: cercamon)

Faithful followers climb to the sanctuary every September 4^th on a pilgrimage. The water that drips from the cave is believed to be miraculous. The marble figure of the Saint is clothed in a golden cape donated by Charles III of Bourbon. An annual procession in July carries Saint Rosalia through town. Her statue is carried on a float drawn by oxen from Monte Pellegrino into town.

Italiano: Monte Pellegrino (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To learn more about Sicily read www.vino-con-vista.com Sicily Travel Guides and

Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites

Ten Reasons Why I Love Palermo Sicily (vinoconvistablog.me)
Wine Spectator’s Maps of Italy’s Major Wine Regions (vinoconvistablog.me)

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Filed under ebooks, IPad, Italian Food, Italian Food and Wine, Italian Wine, Italy, Mondello, oenogastronomic, Palermo, Restaurants in Sicily, Saint Rosalia, Sicily, Sicily Architecture, Sicily Art, Sicily History, Sicily Travel Guides, St. Rosalia, Travel and Tourism, vino con vista

Tagged as Baroque, Buon Ricordo Restaurants, italian food, Italian wine, Italy, italy travel, Italy Travel Guide, Palermo, Patron saint, Restaurants in Sicily, Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia, Sicily, Things to do in Palermo Sicily, Travel and Tourism

· 8:28 am

Viva Palermo e Santa Rosalia: Festino in Sicily

English: Santa Rosalia in Monte Pellegrino Sanctuary, Palermo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

http://www.festinosantarosalia.it/If you travel to Palermo Sicily, you will see the Patron Saint of the Palermitani guarding the Cathedral of Palermo.

La statua di Santa Rosalia, la "Santuzza", e la Cattedrale di Palermo.

Santa Rosalia and the Cathedral of Palermo

Monte Pellegrino (Photo credit: ingirogiro)

If you travel to Monte Pellegrino, perched at the top of the mountain you can visit the cave-shrine of the holy hermit where the sanctuary of Saint Rosalia is located. Monte Pellegrino offers spectacular views over Palermo and the Conca d’Oro. The cave is covered with zinc which helps collect the dripping water from the cave walls. This water is considered to have miraculous healing properties.

Detail from the flank of the Cathedral of Palermo (Sicily), showing the statue of Saint Rosalie in the forefront and the church tower behind. Picture by Giovanni Dall’Orto, September 28 2006. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Saint Rosalia is celebrated in with a massive culinary street party in July in the streets of Palermo: Festino de Santa Rosalia to celebrate the end of the Plague in Palermo. Her emblem is a crown of roses and a skull. In 1630, Pope Urban VII established two holidays for Santa Rosalia: July 15th to commemorate the anniversary of the discovery of her relics and September 4th, the day of the death of ”Santuzza” and her official ecclesiastical feast day.

She died on September 4, 1160 and was canonized on 26 January 1630 and was adopted as the patron saint of Palermo. An annual procession of Palermo’s beloved patron saint starts at the Palace of the Normans and travels along the ancient road of Cassaro to the sea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jhat6b_fVc&feature=related

The relics of the Santuzza are paraded through the town with the festival culminating in the cheering crowd chanting “Viva Palermo e Santa Rosalia!” Her triumphal chariot passes through Porta Felice and ends with fireworks at the Marina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsMtRr73Fv8&feature=related

Italiano: Festino di Santa Rosalia a Palermo, carro delle rose (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Feast is a very popular event with many Vino con Vista opportunities. It consists of carretti Siciliani, performances, exhibitions, traditional culinary and Sicilian wine options and concerts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDYMM6ZxY8s.

The Festival begins the first day of July and ends with the religious procession on July 15 to celebrate the miraculous victory over the Plague. This annual event has been celebrated since 1625.

When the city of Palermo was ravaged by the plague, Santa Rosalia appeared to a sick woman and later to a hunter. She revealed the location of her remains in the cave and told him to bring her bones down to Palermo. These relics were found on July 15th in 1624. When Rosalia appeared in the dream, she described where her remains could be found, in the cave on Monte Pellegrino. She indicated in the dream, that if her remains were brought to Palermo and carried through the quartined city in a procession, the plague would end. When the relics were found, they were paraded through Palermo on 15 July in a procession. The archbishop was followed by all the clergy, the senate and notable citizens of Palermo. In a few days the city was liberated from the plague.

Santa Rosalia (Photo credit: Palazzo Isnello)

In 1625 the relics were placed inside a silver reliquary and guarded inside the Archbishop’s Palace and every year they are part of the procession that includes many confraternities. The “Confraternita di Santa Rosalia dei Sacchi” (Brotherhood of Santa Rosalia of bags) was founded in 1635 by barbers and cobblers (and varberi Scarpari). The brotherhood, which takes its name from clothing used during the procession, has the task of carrying the effigy of the Saint. During the year it is kept in the Church of Professed House of the Society of Jesus in Palermo.

Let’s all salute Santa Rosalia: “Viva Palermo e Santa Rosalia”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PaiGkGMIJ8

Here’s the link to the program: http://www.festinosantarosalia.it/

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides.To learn more about Sicily visit www.vino-con-vista.com

Magical Mondello Sicily and the Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia (vinoconvistablog.me)
Ten Reasons Why I Love Palermo Sicily (vinoconvistablog.me)

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Tagged as Arts and Entertainment, Cassaro, Festival, Italy, Javier Pastore, Normans, Palermo, Patron saint, Pope Urban VII, Saint Rosalia, Saint Rosalia in Sicily, Santa Rosalia, Sicily, Viva Palermo e Santa Rosalia

May 24, 2010 · 5:54 pm

Cefalu is Sicily’s best kept secret

: Image by david.nikonvscanon via Flickr

On my recent trip to Italy, my bus driver was from Cefalu in Sicily. I spent alot of time talking to him about how this delightful town exceeded my expectations.

Cefalu is a charming sea-side resort town nestled between the mountains and the glistening cobalt water of the sea. It is a short train ride from Palermo on the northern Tyrrhenian coast with outstanding beaches and a beautiful Norman cathedral with splendid mosaics.

Walk along the sea wall to La Calura and admire the ancient rocks named Tallarita, Baranello and Passarello. The Italians love to name the rock formations. The Temple of Diana is visible atop the mountains overlooking Cefalu.

The magnificent twin-towers and the Norman Cathedral were built in 1131 by Roger II following his shipwreck along the coastline of Cefalu. The structural and architectural trappings of the cathedral are similar to Monreale. It is adorned with lancet windows. The 20^th century stained glass replacement windows are covered with abstract designs created by Michelle Canzoneri. The Duomo has spectacular mosaics and houses a magnificent Christ as Pantocrator. In the square, enjoy some delightful marzapan treats with your coffee.

Some of the fun tourist attractions in and around Cefalu include:

1. The Public Lavatoio that is located in the center of town; precursor to the public Laundromat.

2. Drive up to the top of the mountain and visit the sanctuary of St. Gibilmanna in Pizzo San Angelo. This was the first church dedicated to the Madonna in Sicily. The monastery belongs to Cappuchin Friars. The sanctuary is located 2600 feet above sea level with a panoramic view of the majestic mountains.

After visiting the local attractions, dine at LoScoglio Ubriaco overlooking the water. Plan your next day perched on a beach chair that you can rent at Beach Café del Moto. Think about taking a day trip from Cefalu to Sicily’s other exotic locations like Taormina or the Aeolian islands.

For a great Vino con Vista visit Filippino on Piazza Municipio. E Pulera on via Isabella Conti Vainicher and the Kasbah Café on via Maurolico 25 offer outstanding food with pleasant outdoor seating. Purchase some local wine and cheese at Enoteca Le Petit Tonneau after you stroll along the water front and appreciate the natural beauty that this charming town exudes. In August, the town has an annual festival called Madonna della Luce which includes an evening boat procession along the coastline.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides to Italy and Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites

To learn more about Sicily visit www.vino-con-vista.com