Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Aiuto in Roccafiorita

In Metropolitan City of Messina, Mount Kalfa reaches with its peaks a thousand meters above sea level: here, for over seventy years is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Aiuto of Roccafiorita, place of worship whose origins are rooted in the memory of the Second World War.
It is in fact 1942, when during a battle the Sergeant Major Carmelo Occhino he entrusts his life to the protection of the Virgin Mary and manages to survive. In honor of this grace received, the following year the Sergeant commissioned the sculptor La Rosa a statue of the Madonna, which is also blessed by Pope Pius XII.
The beautiful simulacrum, which also won the attention of the Pope, reached Roccafiorita in 1944, with the construction promise of a Shrine atop Mount Kalfa, immediately after the end of the war. And so it was that, in May 1945, the works began which led to the construction of the mule track, first, and then of the actual Sanctuary, works which ended in 1950. All the members of the religious community of Roccafiorita.

The architecture of the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Aiuto in Roccafiorita and what to admire inside

The building stands alone at 1000 mt asl offering from the parapet a spectacular view of the Valle d'Agro, up to the Strait of Messina, on Etna and on the island of Salina.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Aiuto in Roccafiorita is a large one stone building; the central body is divided into three naves and flanked by the tall bell tower. Still outside, it is possible to admire the first stone of the building, placed by the inhabitants of Roccafiorita and the Wind rose with the names of the other Sanctuaries dedicated to the Marian cult, with the relative distances from the main places of worship.

If from the outside the sacred building appears compact, reassuring and harmonious, this first impression is confirmed upon entering the building, where there are arches dividing the naves, frescoes and bas-reliefs, fascinating works of sacred art, such as the Crucifix and the in marble in memory of Sergeant Occhino.

What to do at the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Aiuto in Roccafiorita and in the surrounding area

Climb to the top of the Mount Kalfa it is already a fascinating experience in itself, because it allows you to reach a place of prayer and recollection, but also to reach the Pilgrim's House and not far away, on a small hill, to follow the Stations of the Cross, for a truly intense experience of faith; naturally, the route is also open to visitors who come for artistic or landscape interests: the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Aiuto in Roccafiorita is a place of serene meditation that welcomes all its pilgrims.

After a visit to the Sanctuary with its beauties, go back to Roccafiorita, where you can visit the Church of Maria Santissima dell'Immacolata. Finished the tour in Old Town of the country, which we remember, has origins rooted in Roman times, you can also explore the surroundings, for example the splendid Letojanni beach with its pebble beach and transparent waters, or the Covaja Palace, which is located just 21 km from the town, in Taormina. Still near Taormina, you will find the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca, for those who want to make a real pilgrimage to the places of worship in the area, while if you plan to add a stop at the museum to your tour, why not go to the Regional Naturalistic Museum of Isolabella and Villa Caronia, just 20 km away, where you can enter the splendid inlet of Capo Taormina, going up through the paths of the terraces and visiting the villa, in a panorama without equal?.

From Roccafiorita, you can also easily reach the larger towns, such as Messina at about 55 km or Catania at 64 km.

How to get to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Aiuto in Roccafiorita

Roccafiorita, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, can be easily reached both by car and by train.
Who travels by car, can take the A18 Messina-Catania, taking the exit for Taormina, which is located about 7,5 km from the town; who travels on the train you can easily get off at the Santa Teresa di Riva station, which is 8,8 km from the centre, and continue your journey by bus or shuttle.