Sanctuary in Tindaris
On the Northern Coast of Sicily, the Tyrrenean Coast, on the Eastern side, between Milazzo and Capo d’Orlando, lies the Sanctuary of Tindaris, perched upon a hill overlooking the sea. This is the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna, which was carried here by ship from the East in order to be saved from destruction.
Sanctuary as it appears to the traveller arriving through the rolling hills.
Welcomne to Tindaris sign
Side view of the Sanctuary as seen from town
Other side of the Sanctuary overlooking the sea
Front entrance to Sanctuary
Interior of the Sanctuary
Black Madonna statue holding the Child
The gorgeous marble mosaic floor
Upon exiting the Sanctuary one catches a glimpse of the Northern slopes of Mt. Etna!!
Sicily & MORE Explored by Rosanna 
Hello Rosanna, my colleague, Anthony Di Renzo sent your wonderful blog to me. I’m a writer too, working on a piece about Brassica rapa. In discussing a little about its botanical history, I’m looking for a photo of it growing on Mt. Etna possibly and wondered if you had such a photo you’d be willing to let me use? I would need a 1 mg or larger file. Otherwise, anything of Mt. Etna erupting? You seem to be the Sicily source! You can find my on the internet, http://www.juliadellacroce.com. Thank you for your consideration. Best, Julia
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Hello Julia,
Thank you for your kind words. I do not have a photo of Brassica rapa, but I will contact some people in Sicily who may.
I will let you know when I hear back from them.
Best Regards,
Rosanna
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Thanks very much, Rosanna. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, or its equivalent! Warmest, Julia
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You are welcome, Julia. I will too! A presto, Rosanna
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By the way, what are Brassica rapa called in your experience? Anthony calls them rappini most of the time; sometimes, rapi. I’m curious about all the regional and provincial aliases. There are so many!
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Julia,
I believe they are what I have heard being called “i rapi” in Sicilian dialect. When I first returned to explore Sicily a few years ago and drove around in Springtime, I was enchanted by the yellow fields. When I asked what those were, the reply was “i rapi”. You are so right about the regional and provincial aliases!!!!!! There are indeed so many.
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Yes, that’s them!
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Julia,
I have emailed a Sicilian botanist who lives on Mt. Etna. I will let you know when I hear back from him. Rosanna
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I would certainly love to hear from him! Grazie!
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Hello Julia,
As I had not heard back from the gentleman I had contacted and thought there might have been a glitch with the email, I just called and spoke to him. He was exceptionally kind and explained some details on Brassica rapa. Brassica rapa does not grow spontaneously, but is cultivated. It is not found on Mt. Etna. On Mt. Etna, Brassica frutticulosa grows spontaneously, at the lower elevations.
In the Sicilian dialect, Brassica frutticulosa is called “caliceddi” . I love caliceddi!!! I have picked this vegetable on Mt. Etna and eaten it. Professor Ronsisvalle told me that Brassica frutticulosa, “caliceddi”, mostly grow in the areas around vineyards.
Back in Sicily, I have heard this vegetable called both caliceddi as well as caluceddi. Caliceddi have a bitter taste and are usually cooked as a side, often with sausage. (This is making me hungry for caliceddi!!!!!!!!)
I asked Prof. Ronsisvalle if he could provide us with a picture of “caliceddi” and he said he will look for one among his files and send it to me. It may take a few days as he has to solve his email issues.
I hope this information helps a little. I’ll be in touch.
A presto,
Rosanna
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