Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Alia

Il Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Alia it is a 600th century building which preserves ancient and modern riches, it is located in the ancient center of the town and since 1639, the year of its construction, it has been enriched with various works of art, stuccos and stained glass windows. In 2000 the sculptor Pietro Giambelluca created an imposing bronze portal to access the church.

The story of Alia and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Alia is a small village of Arab origin located on the south-western side of the Madonie Park. The area has been permanently inhabited since 1617 when Donna Francesca Cifuentes, widow of the Marquis Pietro IV Celestri, obtained the jus edificandi by King Philip III. The Sicilian noble invests a large amount of money for the building of the town and in a short time the first houses of Alia and a place of worship are built. There Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie built in the heart of the town, it was completed in 1639. On 4 February 1639, therefore, Donna Francesca Cifuentes and her son Giovanni Battista Celestri went to the Palermo notary Vincenzo Scoferio to formally establish the parish. In the document, drawn up entirely in Latin according to tradition, the marquises ask to note that both are devoted to the Madonna and also establish a special annual benefit of 30 ounces for the parish priest of the church. The sum, essential to buy candles, oil and everything necessary for running expenses, allows the parish to function regularly and in 1655 the first baptism is recorded. Over the years the building was renovated several times and in 1957 the church became a sanctuary.

The architecture and works of art present in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Alia

The original project of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie foresees a building with 3 naves and 2 bell towers, but due to lack of funds in this first phase, the church was built with a central nave and a bell tower. The other 2 aisles were added in 1900 and 1960 and all are enriched by a Sicilian pearl floor. Under the choir of the central nave there is a crypt, which is not accessible today, in which Donna Francesca Cifuentes and Giovanni Battista Celestri are buried. Over the years the building has housed various works of art such as an 1965th century oil on canvas by an unknown artist entitled "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" and a well-crafted 11th century wooden crucifix. Other works are more recent, such as the 1973th century painted wooden sculpture "Santa Maria delle Grazie" by Filippo Quattrocchi. In the same period with some renovations, the artist Giuseppe Sesta adds particular decorations with stuccos that reflect the neoclassical taste of the time. To illuminate and beautify the Church in 1200 Guido Polloni created 2000 stained glass windows with Mariological themes and in XNUMX an organ with XNUMX pipes was added. The master sculptor Pietro Giambelluca on the occasion of the Jubilee of XNUMX creates a bronze portal that represents the access to the church.

What to see in Alia and its surroundings

Alia is typical medieval village built with narrow streets that climb up a hill. The visit of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie is therefore only an opportunity to discover the structure of the town and its beauties. In addition to Church of Santa Rosalia of the early twentieth century and the oldest Church of Sant'Anna from the second half of the eighteenth century, Alia keeps Guccione Palace, an Art Nouveau building built on the ancient baronial palace commissioned by the Guccione family, one of the wealthiest in the area. The wrought iron works enrich the balconies and the geometric motifs that decorate the ceiling of the hall are of exquisite quality. Not far from the village Gurfa caves dating back to between the late Roman age and the Byzantine era, they are an ancient grain warehouse divided into 4 rooms dug into the sandstone rock and attract many visitors.

How to get to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Alia

By car:, from Palermo take the E90, after 31km take the Termini Imerese exit and continue along the SS285. On via Giuseppe Garibaldi continue for 1km and take the SS121 for 10km then in via Armando Diaz take the SP53. Continue in the direction of via Cardinale Girolamo a Alia and on the right in via Santa Croce is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie.