Sanctuary of Cala Madonna in Lampedusa
The Sanctuary of Cala Madonna in Lampedusa, also known as Sanctuary of the Madonna di Porto Salvo, is the main place of worship on the island. < br> The first historical evidence of the existence of this religious building dates back to 1569, thanks to the texts of the writer Fazello that speak of a chapel consecrated to Mary set up inside a cave. Much more precise information has reached us through a report by the governor Bernardo Maria Sanvisente that he sent to Ferdinand II in 1843, which shows that the cave was divided into a Catholic church and a Mohammedan mosque. The current structure is very recent as the sanctuary was destroyed during a bombing in the Second World War. Following this event, which left only the statue of the Madonna unscathed but did not cause any casualties among the inhabitants of the island, the sanctuary was immediately rebuilt in recognition of the grace received.
The facade is painted in a turquoise color, with darker details that highlight the frames and corners of the structure. The white bell tower, which stands to the left of the sanctuary, has a quadrangular base with the belfry that culminates in an acute-angled pyramidal shape.
The interior, with a single nave, is very simple without any particular decorations. Of particular interest is the Simulacrum of the Madonna di Porto Salvo, placed behind the altar.
