Santuario della Madonna del Tindari

Tyrrhenian Coast


This enormous church can be seen from miles around: it sits right on Capo Tindari, 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 current garishly decorated building mainly dates from the 20th century. The inscription underneath the icon reads Nigra sum, sed formosa (I am black, but beautiful).

From the church's belvedere (panoramic terrace) there's a spectacular view down to the Laghetti di Marinello, a series of small lakes punctuating a long sandbar, surrounded by the sparkling blue Tyrrhenian Sea.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tyrrhenian Coast attractions

1. Tyndaris

0.23 MILES

This ancient Greek holy place was founded by Dionysis of Syracuse after his victory over the Carthaginians in 396 BC. The secluded ruins (a basilica, an…

2. Spiaggia di Oliveri

1.09 MILES

In the town of Oliveri, just below the ancient settlement of Tyndaris, this sandy stretch of beach makes a good place for a swim, with a series of lidos…

3. Antiquarium di Milazzo

12.1 MILES

Housed just below the castle in the 16th-century Quartiere degli Spagnoli defensive barracks, this 10-room museum displays treasures dating from neolithic…

4. Castello di Milazzo

12.29 MILES

Originally the site of a Greek acropolis, then an Arab-Norman citadel, Milazzo's enormous castle was built by Frederick II in 1239, expanded by Charles V…

6. Capo Milazzo

13.49 MILES

If you have a car, don't miss the scenic drive north along Strada Panoramica to see the gorgeous, rugged coastline of Capo Milazzo. At the end of the…

7. Spiaggia San Gregorio

15.29 MILES

Turquoise waters lap this gorgeous beach to the east of the point at Capo d'Orlando. Framed by rocky outcrops, with a mix of sand and pebbles and gorgeous…

8. Gelso

15.97 MILES

On the island's southern coast, down a sinuous, narrow paved road, Gelso is a minuscule but picturesque port with a pair of family-run restaurants and a…