Santuario Madonna del Tindari

Santuario Madonna del Tindari is a minor basilica located on a hilltop in northern Sicily, overlooking the Marinello Lakes and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Inside, the sanctuary houses a Byzantine statue of the Black Madonna, which is the focal point of worship for visitors who climb the steps to reach the main altar.

A chapel at this site dating from the 16th century eventually became too small to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting the shrine. Construction of a larger modern basilica began in the 1950s and was completed in 1979 to better serve the faithful.

The Black Madonna statue draws pilgrims from across Sicily who come to pray and light candles as acts of devotion. For many locals, this shrine holds deep spiritual meaning passed down through generations of their families.

The sanctuary sits atop a hillside that requires climbing a series of steps to reach the main building and entrance. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow extra time for the climb, especially during warm months.

The foundation stone for the modern basilica came from ancient Greek-Roman ruins, connecting the shrine's present-day purpose with the area's classical past. This symbolic choice links two different eras of the region's history through the building itself.