Santuario della Madonna di Montalto (Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montalto), Messina

The Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montalto, perched atop Caperrina Hill, is a place of deep historical and spiritual significance. Founded in 1294, during the turbulent Vespers War (1282-1302), the sanctuary originated as the Church of Santa Maria dell’Alto, alongside a Cistercian monastery.

According to tradition, the site of the church was divinely chosen—a dove’s flight supposedly traced the building’s contours, with prominent officials of the Messina Senate witnessing the event. The sanctuary became a symbol of faith and protection, particularly associated with the apparition of the Madonna, who, according to legend, intervened to defend Messina from the besieging French forces.

The sanctuary was one of the few structures to endure for nearly six centuries, though the Cistercian nuns’ monastery was abolished in 1866. Tragically, the devastating earthquake of 1908 completely destroyed the sanctuary, but it was the first religious building to be reconstructed in the city.

The façade, which faces the sea, was redesigned in 1930, incorporating two bell towers with spires, adding to its grandeur. From the sanctuary’s square, visitors are treated to breathtaking views of the Strait of Messina, a sight that even Pope John Paul II praised during his visit in 1988. To honor this momentous occasion, a life-size statue of Pope John Paul II was placed on the belvedere veranda, depicting the pontiff gazing over the city and the strait.