Basilica Sanctuary Maria SS. of Tindari - Tindari, hamlet of Patti (ME) - Sicily

Founded in 396 BC by Dionysius of Syracuse as a colony of Syracusan mercenaries, the ancient city of Tindari owes its name to Tindaro, King of Sparta. Since then, its history has been a succession of stories, myths, and legends that have left an indelible mark in the popular imagination... #tuttitaly

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Perched on top of the stunning hill of Tindari, in the province of Messina, proudly stands the majestic Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari, also known as the Basilica Shrine of the Most Holy Mary of Tindari. Surrounded by the Marinello lakes, this sacred place is one of the most fascinating in the region, both for its enchanting landscape and its mystical aura.

The ancient history of this sanctuary seems to date back to the ancient Greek acropolis of Tyndaris, whose taste of past times can still be felt in the ruins of the adjacent Archaeological Area of Tindari. The current building stands on the foundations of the primitive fortress of Tindari, as evidenced by the battlements in the old places of worship. Devotion revolves around the wooden statue of the Black Madonna, whose legendary origins sink into popular tradition.

According to the legend, the statue from the East miraculously stopped in Tindari to escape persecution, preventing the ship carrying it from departing. Only when the wooden statue was brought ashore could the ship set sail, indicating the Virgin's desire to stay in that place. Since then, the sanctuary has become a place of pilgrimage, attracting believers from all over.

The sacred complex includes two distinct sanctuaries: the ancient and the modern. The first, erected on the cliff overlooking the sea, over the centuries could not contain the influx of devotees, leading to the construction of the new sanctuary in 1957. With an imposing facade, the modern sanctuary opens onto a square decorated with bronze doors and stained glass windows, symbols of human and theological virtues.

The ancient sanctuary houses the wooden statue of the Black Madonna, a precious oriental-like sculpture dating back to the late Byzantine period. Framed by the phrase "Nigra Sum Sed Formosa," taken from the Song of Songs, the Madonna is depicted as a queen, with the Baby Jesus blessing in her arms.

The Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari continues to be a mysterious and fascinating place where history and legend intertwine within the millennia-old walls. A journey to this sacred place represents a unique experience, full of spirituality and suggestion, where devotion and beauty merge in an eternal embrace.

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