To visit the sanctuary of Tindari you must go to Sicily, in the municipality of Patti on the northeast coast. After you park your car in one of the big parking lots, you need to catch the bus that will take you almost to the top of the hill. You will be surprised by the continuous flow of pilgrims who go up and down the narrow street that is studded with stalls of all kinds.

It is immediately noticed that Tindari is very well known and frequented, whole families with children, grandparents and dogs in tow climb hard to the square of the Sanctuary. The church enlarged in recent centuries to contain the flow of pilgrims is very beautiful and richly decorated. Inside, in a case, is the statue of the Black Madonna with the child Jesus on his knees. The statue was recently restored and under the white cloak and the crown, after removing all the layers of colors and residues of ancient restorations, this Madonna was sitting on a throne with the child on his knees instead of the Madonna standing with the child in her arms. Surprising are the changes that were applied over the centuries!

There are two stories told about the statue of ancient wood.
The origin is not well known but in Tindari they believe at this beginning. Many centuries ago, a ship found itself passing through the waters in front of Tindari and was struck by a storm. He sought shelter in the Bay of Tindari and waited for time to calm down. When he wanted to leave, even though he was in deep water, the ship did not move, so it was decided to unload part of the cargo to lighten the ship but only when the crate that contained was put on the shore the statue, the ship managed to start again.

The sailors of Tindari opened the chest and with their great astonishment, they found this beautiful statue and decided to take it to the top of the promontory and build it a church.