Hermitage of Santa Maria di Montevergine in Caltabellotta
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Montevergine in Caltabellotta lies on a spur of rock at the foot of Mount Kratas, not far from the Verdura river.
It was built in 1624 at the behest of Francesco Alliata, prince of Villafranca, who had a village to which he gave the name of Sant'Anna.
The origins of the first monastic settlement in the Montevergine area are however much older. According to tradition, they date back to the fifth century when, following the invasions of the Vandals of northern Africa, the followers of St. Augustine arrived in Sicily where they led a life as a hermit. Near Sant'Anna there are prehistoric caves inhabited in the late Middle Ages by these anchorites. The most important is the one located on the promontory of S. Giorgio,
in front of the Church of Montevergine, known as the monk's cave .
The complex consists of a church and the adjoining hermitage.
The church has a simple facade with a decorated ogival portal, probably coming from the ancient church of San Giorgio. It has a single nave with three altars on each side. Of particular value are the frescoes that came to light during the last restoration. Inside the church there are some capitals probably belonging to the ancient church of San Giorgio.
The hermitage is divided into two elevations: on the ground floor there are rooms, not very large, used for the work of the friars, while at the on the upper floor the cells and the small bell tower are located.
The hermitage of Montevergine has a great religious value for the Santannese community since it is the place where the Croce di Montevergine , a crucifix is kept fifteenth-century wooden that, according to tradition, was painted on the tables of the bed of S. Brigida and brought from Africa by the followers of Sant'Agostino.
