Gibilmanna
The name 'Gibilmanna' derives from Arabic 'gebel / jebel' (mountain) and 'manna' (edible substance extracted from the manna ash trees).
The Sanctuary of Gibilmanna stands as an esteemed Christian shrine, steeped in legend and history. It is believed to be among the six Benedictine monasteries commissioned by Pope Gregory the Great, renowned for spearheading the Gregorian mission to convert the pagan Anglo-Saxons in Britain to Christianity. Nestled on the slopes of Pizzo Sant’Angelo (1081m), its name reflects its Arabic origins, derived from "gebel / jebel," meaning mountain, and "manna," extracted from the local manna ash trees for medicinal use.
Initially adorned by a church dedicated to St. Michael Archangel, Gibilmanna has endured through centuries marked by Arab conquests and Norman rule. In 1535, Father Sebastiano Majo da Gratteri laid the foundation for a convent, later replaced by a new church in the early 17th century. The sanctuary has witnessed numerous alterations, including the Neo-Gothic reconstruction of its façade in 1907.
The altarpiece, crafted by the Gagini family, a family of architects and sculptors which flourished until the mid-1600s, adorns the sanctuary. Adjacent to the church lies The Museum of the Franciscan Presence in Sicily, housing a treasure trove of art from local convents and churches, spanning from the 16th to the 18th century. Among its collection are paintings, church vestments, wax and wooden statuettes, ex-votos, and even a wooden organ, all contributing to the rich tapestry of Gibilmanna's cultural heritage.
The Church
The Sanctuary of Gibilmanna bathing in the evening sun.
The Altarpiece
Detail of the magnificent altarpiece made by the Gagini family.
Altarpiece in the church at Gibilmanna made by the Gagini family.
Detail of a baroque altarpiece in the Sanctuary of Gibilmanna.
Going to Gibilmanna by car
The sanctuary is 15.2 km from Cefalù. Follow the signs to Gibilmanna, do not trust your GPS on your way up - it will send you out on a terribly poor and narrow road. You can't miss your destination. You shouldn't have any problems parking near the church.
Dramatic landscape near Gibilmanna. The photo was taken in March.
A nice property near Gibilmanna.
The Museum in Gibilmanna
Small crucifix (17th C) from the Capuchin monastery in Savoca, Now in the Gibilmanna Museum.
The museum has an interesting collection. This is a wooden organ.
Instrument, 18th Century, Gibilmanna Museum.
Gibilmanna Museum has numerous objects dating from the 17th and the 18th century.
Psalterium dispositum per hebdomadam cum ordinario officii de tempore. Pars hiemali dominica ad matutinum, meaning something like The Psalter organized by the week, along with the standard prayers for the current season. Specifically, this pertains to Sunday mornings during the winter season.
“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” (John 6:53-56)
Detail of a 18th century painting of Jesus.
Small "Pieta" by Jacopo Lo Duca (16th century). Gibilmanna Museum.
The Vicinity of Gibilmanna
A beautiful plant near the Sanctuary of Gibilmanna.
Tree bark. Cracking trunk near Gibilmanna.
A beautiful flower near Gibilmanna.
Parking
Cat on the hood of the editor's car during a visit to Gibilmanna.
See more photos of Sicilian cats here!
Parking in Sicily
The tips below are just suggestions. Many find it better to have a specific place to go to, but if you're comfortable with driving around and just see where you end up, please do. You may find better parking than these recommendations, or you may get trapped in a one-way labyrith. If you really want to prepare for your arrival in a Sicilian town, we found it very helpful to use Google Maps and choose Street View.
- Agrigento: There are several parking lots close to the Valley of the Temples.
- Bagheria: Very close to Villa Palagonia, you'll probably find parking. Start looking at Via Don Luigi Sturzo, 7
- Caccamo: Parking in the street when you arrive, just before the castle. Or in the Piazza Duomo.
- Castelbuono: Parking near the castle is the most obvious choice but it can be full.
- Castelmola: In Via Cuculunazzo there is a small parking garage. It is not possible to park in the village itself.
- Catania: There is a large (and cheap) parking lot in front of Hotel Mercure Catania Excelsior, Piazza Giovanni Verga 39
- Cefalù: The street along the beach (Lungomare Giuseppe Giardina) has lots of parking spaces, but you'll have to pay. There's also parking near the railway station. If you really want to park for free, and you don't mind walking for 10-15 minutes, you could try the cemetary.
- Gibilmanna: Usually no problems parking near the church.
- Linguaglossa: Park in the street near the 18th century Church Chiesa Madre.
- Modica: We found lots of parking spaces in Viale Medaglie D'Oro, but you'll (probably) have to pay at a nearby bar(!). We paid, but no one else seemed to bother …
- Monreale: Make it easy and use the parking garage in Via Palermo 102. 150 m to the cathedral. You can even stay here and take a taxi down to Palermo centre if you want to choose the easiest solution.
- Noto: If you don't mind walking 5-7 minutes, we recommend going for the free parking in Via Napoli as you approach the centre. Look for parking after you have passes the petrol station on the right. Close to the city gate, you can park (and pay) in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Unemployed, criminal looking men may want to protect the car for you.
- Palermo: Avoid car if you can. It is easier to park during the riposo (siesta). See under Monreale.
- Ragusa superiore: Parking opposite the Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo Palace (aka Mediterraneo Palace) in Via Roma 185 (Montalbano location!). Parking marked with blue lines, meaning you have to pay. Also: At Piazza Matteotti (by the Post office from the Mussolini period), there is an underground parking house. Entrance via Corso Italia, next to number 53.
Ragusa Ibla: There are parking lots in Via Avvocato Giovanni Ottaviano, near the Q8 petrol station. Here is a link to the place in Google Street View. - Segesta: Big parking lot near the entrance.
- Selinunte: Big parking lot near the entrance of the archeological site.
- Termini Imerese: Parking near the cathedral.
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