PELLEGRINAGGIO DELLA MADONNA DELLA LIBERA

 

Another heartfelt religious tradition is the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Madonna Della Libera which is situated in Montagna district. Not only the people of Partanna but also the people from the nearby villages, arrive in large numbers on the first Sunday in October to make homage to the Madonna. This cult affirmed itself in the XIX century following a miraculous event when a trader from Palermo, after being robbed and put in chains by bandits was liberated by the Madonna who appeared to him with baby Jesus in her arms. In honour of the Virgin Mary,first a small church rose, which was destroyed in the 1968 earthquake, and then the sanctuary was founded.