A journey through nature, religion and history along the trails of Monte Pellegrino, “the most beautiful promontory in the world”, according to W. Goethe: the views of the city, the amazing rocks rich in biodiversity and the sacred sanctuary where the remains of Saint Rosalia were found.

The route starts from Largo Antonio Sellerio (at the slopes of Monte Pellegrino) through the Old Stairway and the Medieval Route. It goes through the Goethe forest and ends at Piazzale di Santa Rosalia for a visit to the Sanctuary and the Pond. The itinerary follows what was theoretically the last part of the pilgrimage of Rosalia from Santo Stefano to Palermo; today this is the route of the ritual pilgrimage that annually takes place on the night between 3 and 4 September.

Distance: 4 km

Duration: 4 h (stops included)

Degree of difficulty: medium/easy. Roads and well-marked paths. At the beginning, 1,5 km of the route is uphill

Elevation: 450 mt (ascent)

Program

9.30 am (4.30pm in July and August) – start of the walk

11.30 am – break at the square in front of the Sanctuary

12.00 pm – Visit of the Sanctuary and short walk to the Pond of St. Rosalia

1.15 pm (20.15 in Jul-Aug) – End of services

At the end of the walk to the Pond you can have a packed lunch or eat something at one of the bars in the square.

2.00 pm (8.45 pm in July and August) – departure by bus

 

Meeting at 9.20 am (4.20 pm Jul-Aug) at Largo Antonio Sellerio (bus stop: Rabin-Scala Vecchia)

By bus: line 812 (from the Port-Piazza Politeama) or line 107 (from the Central Station)

By underground: Imperatore Federico-Stadio station and from there 10 min walking

Return to Palermo by bus (line 812 from the Piazzale Santuario of St. Rosalia). Departure of the bus at 2.00 pm (end of services) or later (20.45 in Jul-Aug).

* In July and August the visit will take place in the afternoon (see timetables in brackets)