The Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie in Torretta

A visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Torretta it means discovering the history of the village more closely and touching the faith of the population. The main parish of Torretta is the one dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie and has a very particular history, given that its construction took longer over time due to lack of funds.

History of the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie in Torretta

The construction of the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie began in 1636 but a few years later the works stopped because there weren't enough funds to be able to complete the task. Fortunately, in 1712 Santo Tomasi contributed a significant sum to the construction, which was thus completed.

In 1720 was organized was organized the inaugurazione and the consecration of the church which was dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie, a figure much loved by the inhabitants of the town. In 1954 the task of frescoing the interior of the structure was entrusted to the artist Bellavista, a great-grandson of the very famous Paolo Vasta as well as a follower of the school of Giuseppe Sciuti. The frescoes he made speak of the Eucharist and of the exploits of the Madonna.

The architecture and any works of art present in the Sanctuary

From an architectural point of view, the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie is an example of Romanesque art . Inside, the painting that depicts the Madonna delle Grazie stands out for its beauty, which is positioned right on the main altar.

Another painting that deserves an in-depth look is the one that portrays the Madonna di Valverde and which was made on a wooden tablet. Also inside the sanctuary is kept a relic very important, an arm of the beloved Saint Giuseppe M. Tomasi. However, it is not the only one, since they are also present an ermine cardinal and some papal bulls from various periods.

A work that gathers everyone's attention is the very large wooden crucifix which was built in 1756 while the life-size statue of San Calogero, who is also the protector of the village of Torretta and to whom the Feast of St. Calogero on 18 June. Finally, the most precious element found inside the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie in Torretta is certainly the tabernacle which was made of chiseled silver and decorated by hand: the consecrated hosts are kept behind its small door with lock.

What you can do around the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie

Certainly one of the points of greatest interest in Torretta is represented by its beaches and the blue and uncontaminated sea, however also from a cultural point of view the town is full of surprises. An element that characterizes its skyline is represented by sighting towers that are present along the entire arch of the cliff: some of them are still perfectly preserved, such as Torretta Granitola or the one known as the Old Lighthouse.

The best time to visit Torretta is certainly Christmas, also because the living nativity scene is organized in the village which for a few days transforms the village into a medieval village , to discover the habits and customs of the time up close. In the immediate vicinity of Torretta, then, you can admire the Cave of Za Minica, a natural formation that has a thousand-year history and is so called because legend has it that a witch lived inside it.

How is it possible to get to Torretta

Those wishing to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Torretta they can reach it from Palermo along the E90 while from Catania it will be necessary simply to follow the A19.
Da Messina the recommended route is to take the A20 first and then the E90 while from Agrigento it is advisable to take the SS121. From Trapani the most suitable road is the A29 and then the E933, from Syracuse the A19 and then the E932, finally from Enna the same road indicated to those starting from Catania , then the A19. Those wishing to reach Torretta by train should refer to the stations of Carini Torre Ciachea or San Lorenzo, since the village does not have its own railway station. The journey can then continue to the destination thanks to the local bus lines made available by the AST.