Tindari - Pilgrimage Church

Excavations where the ancient acropolis stood are not permitted, because it is there - on the far side of Piazzale Belvedere, which is rightly so named because of the superb view down to the coast - that the pilgrimage church now stands. It is a modern building, decorated with numerous representations of the legend of the Black Madonna and the history of the shrine. The focal point is the statue of the Madonna with the words "Niger sum, sed formosa" (I am black but beautiful).

Legend

It is said that once a pilgrim was most disappointed on seeing the Black Madonna and made some disparaging remarks. A short time later the child of the impertinent pilgrim fell over the cliffs. As proof of her mercy and also of her power the Madonna caused the sea to recede and soft cushions of sand to form and catch the child as it fell. It is then that she is supposed to have said "Niger sum, sed formosa". Since then Tindari has sat in state above the Mare Secco, the "dry sea".