PELLEGRINO LIFT

This "Pilgrim's Mount", in French, overlooks the beautiful bay of Palermo from the top of its 606 metres and separates the city to the north from Mondello, its posh seaside resort. The mountain owes its name to the many Sicilians who come here on pilgrimage to venerate the relics of Saint Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo, who saved the city from the plague in 1624. Her relics were taken around the city, which, according to the legend, kept the disease at bay. In the 17th century, a sanctuary dedicated to the saint was built in this place, consisting of a convent and the cave where she lived in seclusion until 1124. In the cave, the water that oozes from the rock, considered miraculous, is carefully collected. In 1952, in the north of the massif, rock engravings dating back to more than 5,000 years B.C. were uncovered.

You can get there by a 14 km long winding road that offers an incredible view of the town, the sea, the Ustica islands, the Aeolian Islands Alicudi and Filicudi on a clear day, and the inland relief of this part of the island. It is recommended to go up there on foot to enjoy a day of nature in the heart of the city. You can also get there by taxi or bus (n° 806). We regret that the place is rather dirty and poorly maintained, a pity because the nature, the landscape and the view on Palermo are incredible. We also regret that the access road to Mondello (and to the view on this side of the mountain) is closed because of the risk of landslides.