Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi

The Bluff it's a municipality of the Metropolitan City of Palermo: its inhabitants are less than a thousand, but its size should not deceive, in fact in this small hill town you can find beautiful attractions, with ancient and perfectly preserved monuments. One such monument is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi.

The history of the Sanctuary begins in the eighth century, so ancient are in fact the foundations of this sacred building. At 600 meters above sea level and not far from the Oliva stream, the Sanctuary seems to owe its name to the local presence of olive groves or a mineral oil spring, as legend has it.

Despite the very ancient origins of the building, the current church was renovated in the eighteenth century, while the original bell tower was removed in the seventies of the last century and replaced with a concrete one.

Stuccoes and decorations that can be admired inside the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi were created in the XNUMXth century.

The architecture of the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi and the works it houses

The Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi is perfectly preserved, despite its very ancient origins. The facade of the central stone building has been renovated, while the more recent bell tower is a modern concrete structure.

The main façade is divided into three orders: in the first we find the arched entrance, in the second the rectangular window and in the third order we can observe the rose window. On the sides of the facade, in the first order we can identify a cladding in stone bricks that protrude from the wall, recreating the figures of two columns in relief.

Inside, the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi has a single nave and among the works that can be admired in the Church, a wooden statue of the Madonna, created by Quattrocchi, stands out.

What to do at the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi and in the surrounding area

Blufi is the perfect destination for those on holiday seeking relaxation, architectural beauty, flavors and nature, possibly concentrated in one place. The Old Town will welcome you with the Mother Church of Christ the King, an example of modern religious architecture, built at the beginning of the last century, but also several bars and clubs in which to enjoy the typical products of the area; the Blufi Romanesque bridge it is located along the course of the Imera river, while the Rocca di Marabuto, about 2,6 km from the centre, is an ancient tomb from the Arab era, where legend places a ghost, which still haunts the surroundings today.

After completing the tour of the town, including the visit to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi, get ready to explore the surroundings too: in the southern foothills of the Madonie Park, you will find green paths, equipped areas and panoramic viewpoints, to enjoy all the beauties of nature in one of the largest green areas in Sicily. Not far away, the village of Petralia Soprana welcomes you with Church of Loretto which dominates the valley from above from the fortress, in the place where the ancient XNUMXth century castle once stood. Further south, you will find the village of They resurrect, near which the ruins of the Castle can be visited.

Traveling along the northern coast of the island, with about an hour and a quarter of travel, you will reach the magnificent Palermo, while towards the east, the city of Catania is 135 km away and can be reached in just under two hours by car.

In yours vacation in Sicily, experience all the pleasures of good table: in Blufi, you will of course find arancini, but also taste the swordfish rolls and fennel meatballs, comfortably seated at the restaurant. As a dessert, the Sicilian cannoli cannot be missing, but an excellent alternative can be the ricotta cream puff.

How to get to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Olio in Blufi

Blufi, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, is located in central-northern Sicily. Reaching the town is easy, both for those traveling by car and for those traveling by train.

With the driving feel, you arrive in the village from the A19 Palermo-Catania, taking the exit for Irosa and continuing for 4,7 km to the centre. With the train, getting off at Caltanissetta Central Station, you will find buses and shuttles that will take you to the town, about 29 km from the station.

© Image by Victor Vizzini, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons