Madonna dell'Alto

High in the Madonie Mountains in the Palermo province of Sicily, is a sacred space where pilgrims have been traveling to honor the Madonna since the 14th century. This stunning sanctuary sits on the highest peak of the Madonie range and is the window to some of the most stunning views one can have of the whole island.

The myth around this particular Madonna, as with all Sicilian stories and myths, contains layers of mystery and magic. The story goes — or at least one of them, as we know stories can vary— that a monk was wandering the beach in the village of Cefalu saw a wooden statue of Madonna wash upon the shore. The monk, believing she must have fallen off a wrecked boat out at sea, decided to bring her somewhere and give her a new home. The monk carried her to a spot and said this will be your new home.

The next day, the monk was taking his walk along the beach, and he saw the same Madonna statue wash up on shore. Curious, but determined, he took her again, this time he placed her in another spot and created a shrine for her. He assumed this spot, and a shrine, would be a good place for her to be.

The next day, walk along the beach again, the monk see’s the same Madonna wash up on the shore.
”Ok, fine!” He told her. “You would like to choose for yourself the place of your new home. The place you choose will be a sacred place and many people will come in honor of you.”

The monk then strapped the Madonna on a cow and ordered for the cow to take her wherever she wanted to go.

The cow then brought Our Lady miles and miles away, straight to the top of the highest mountain in the Madonie and then left her there. This was the place The Madonna chose herself and she was never found again on the beach by the Monk. This was said to be a sacred, holy ground, a place of a devotion to the Madonna of High Up.

A stone sanctuary was built for her and this became her forever home. Pilgrims have been climbing the long and winding trail up to the Il santuario della Madonna dell'Alto since the 14h century. Often they were barefoot, carrying a stone in their mouths most of the way, that they offered to her in grace.

People, locals and travels alike, today still take day and nighttime pilgrimages up to this stunning sanctuary for the Mother of all. And if you are lucky, you’ll also find yourself hiking to the top guided by local naturalists, telling you the story and meaning of the plants and trees. You might find yourself praying the Hail Mary in a private healing multilingual mass. And of course, after a day long hike up, you must be fed by the generous keepers of the sanctuary. Most importantly, you’ll lay your body down on the stunning land, covered in wild plants, and looking out at the views— getting to see Etna, possibly the sea, and the rolling hills of central Sicily. Being grateful for the gifts of the Great Mother, the Madonna, the Earth, all the nourishes and cares for us.

When we pilgrimage to places where other’s have devoted themselves to for hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of years (the possibility that this spot was an ancient pre-Christian mother-goddess temple is high), we do so in ritual. We receive the medicine of all those who came before us, all those who are with us, and the powerful gifts of the land itself. A deeply spiritual, body devotion kind of experience, when visiting Sicily, Madonna dell’Alto is life changing journey that we highly suggest.

You can sign up for one of your gatherings and come bring offerings to this Madonna with us. Click here!