Legend on the origin of the Sanctuary of Maria SS.ma La Cava
The Sanctuary of Maria SS.ma La Cava di Marsala rises above an ancient quarry where the Simulacrum of the Madonna was found.
According to tradition, in the early 1500s, the Madonna appeared in a dream to an Augustinian friar, Father Leonardo Xavina, urging him to dig at the quarry where the Sanctuary of Maria SS.ma la Cava. After four years of excavations, the collapse of a wall brought to light the simulacrum of the Madonna inside a well.
In 1693 and 1726, the Madonna della Cava would have saved the city of Marsala from the earthquake, thus she became the main Patroness and special protector of the city.
