Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia – Palermo
Built in the 17th century on pre-existing religious buildings, it is the hub of Palermo’s devotion, linked to the cult of the saint, Rosalia Sinibaldi, lived in the 13th century and coming from a rich family; the noble girl decided to get on Monte Pellegrino to lead a life of prayer in the cave where the heart of the Sanctuary is set and where the statue is kept, carved by Florentine Gregorio Tedeschi in 1631 and then adorned with gold robes for the gift of Charles III of Bourbon.
The origin of the Palermo devotion dates back to healing the epidemic of plague broke out in 1624, simultaneously with the discovery of the remains of the Saint and of miraculous healings with blessed water flowing at that point.
The Sanctuary is a destination for pilgrimages by the Palermitans, who celebrate S. Rosalia on July 15 with a party involving the entire citizenship, Including members of the Tamil community who give homage to the Saint. A special feature of the festival is the procession of the great triumphal chariot, every year made by different craftsmen, driving through the streets of the city center, accompanied by figures that trace the story of Saint and the plague in Palermo, and by the musical band and the striking burst of fireworks on the sea.