Realmonte, the salt cathedral is considered the main salt mine in the Sicily

Sicily dresses in white and glitters, those reflected in the sun by the rock salt crystals extracted in the Realmonte salt mine. The same one that shapes the marvelous salt cathedral unique in the world of its kind.

In the rock salt mine in the Scavuzzo district, almost 3 kilometers from the city of Realmonte (Agrigento), a salt is extracted for cooking with excellent properties recognized throughout the world. in addition to rock salt, kainite is also extracted here among its 25 kilometers of tunnels

It is considered the main salt mine in the Sicily region and also among the oldest on the island (about 6 million years old) which hosts three in total. The mine is also known for a particularity that makes it unique, inside it houses a cathedral but not a normal one, but a real Salt Cathedral.

The Salt Cathedral jealously guarded in the rock salt mine as a treasure 60 meters deep, is 20 meters wide and its ceiling 8 meters high, completely made of this mineral. Here on December 4 of each year, the day of the anniversary of the celebrations of Santa Barbara, the workers of the mine and their families gather here to listen to the mass of the bishop of the city in his honor. Inside, up to 800 faithful entertain enchanted by the sight of columns, statues, sculptures, Easter candle, two bas-reliefs and the altar, all of which are also rigorously sculpted in salt. Truly a place that steals the heart and demonstrates the sacrifice and hard work that this impressive work required.

What to see in the surroundings
In the surroundings of the Mine and the Salt Cathedral there is one of the favorite destinations for tourists in Sicily, the renowned and suggestive Scala dei Turchi on the marine coast of Realmonte.

 

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