Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
TYNDARIS
At Capo Tindari, just off the autostrada between Milazzo and Cefalù, a historic church and an ancient Greco-Ro-
man site make an interesting detour. Coming from the east, turn off the autostrada at Oliveri and follow signs for
Tindari/Tyndaris. If you're coming from the west, the site is 12km from Marina di Patti on the SS113.
The enormous
Santuario della Madonna del Tindari
(Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tindari; 0941 36 90
03;
www.santuariotindari.it
; 6.45am-12.30pm & 2.30-7pm Mon-Sat, 6.45am-12.45pm & 2.30-8pm Sun) can
be seen from miles around: it sits right on the cape, its dome glistening in the sun. A sanctuary was built here in
the 16th century to house the icon of the
Bruna Madonnina del Tindari
(Black Madonna of Tindari), but the cur-
rent garishly decorated building mainly dates from the 20th century. The inscription underneath the icon reads
Ni-
gra sum, sed hermosa
(I am black, but beautiful).
From the sanctuary, a path leads to the entrance of a more ancient holy place,
Tyndaris
( 0941 36 90 23;
adult €4, EU student 18-25yr €2, EU citizen under 18 or 65+ free; 9am-1hr before sunset) , founded by
Dionysis of Syracuse after his victory over the Carthaginians in 396 BC. The secluded ruins (a basilica, agora,
Roman house and Greek theatre) are set on the cliff edge amid prickly pears, olives and cypress trees. In summer
you can clearly see the Aeolian Islands and the lovely Oliveri lagoon in the bay below. There's also a small mu-
seum displaying artefacts excavated at the site.
Drivers must park in the paid lot at the foot of the hill, then walk (15 minutes) or take the shuttle bus (€0.80 re-
turn, five minutes) up to the sanctuary and the ruins.
