Tourism in Syracuse, Sicily

THE MAINLAND

Shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime (Our Lady of Tears) in Syracuse.

Completed only in 1994, the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears in Syracuse is a work of contemporary architecture began in 1966, although not without arousing heated controversy for its impressive size (90 meters / 295 ft wide and almost as high), which for better or worse creates a visual reference point of primary importance in the city’s skyline.

Circular in shape, the shrine was built to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims drawn to a small plaster image of the Madonna, from which, in 1953 in an impoverished house of Syracusan faithful, tears miraculously were said to emanate.
The shape of the dizzying dome is meant to recall both a tear that falls and a tented pavilion serving as a sign of welcome to pilgrims.

The Shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime of Syracuse
External view of the Shrine of the
Madonna delle Lacrime of Syracuse.

Inside the building, the dome stands on a sleek structure of reinforced concrete pillars, open in all directions by lines of windows that create an elegant and luminous radial pattern.

The atmospheric interior of the shrine’s cupola.

The space consists of a place of worship, the shrine itself, and a second underground area, the crypt.
The sixteen chapels built around the base of the shrine house several well-preserved ancient and contemporary works of art, while the crypt’s eight chapels house modern mosaics and the remains of a Greek-Roman and Byzantine tomb, discovered during the excavation of the foundation.

Three museums are connected with the shrine (free admission, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.): that of the tearing of the statue (with material related to the event that resulted in the creation of the shrine), that of the Ex voto (with more than a thousand items on display), and lastly that of the vestments and crèches, which exhibits a collection of liturgical vestments, particularly from the 18th and 19th centuries.

From the Shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime one can easily reach the Regional Archaeological Museum, the Papyrus Museum, the Catacombs of San Giovanni, and a little further away, the Archaeological Park of Syracuse.

How to Reach the Shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime from the Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel.
The Shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime of Syracuse is located a few steps away from the Museo Archeologico Regionale “Paolo Orsi” off the island of Ortigia.
A route by foot is possible, but it will exceed one kilometer in distance.
Those who do not have their own transportation can call a taxi from the reception desk at a special rate or use the bicycles that the Hotel Algilà offers to its guests for free.
Alternatively, one can take the (free) shuttle bus #20 from the nearby Piazza Archimede up to the bus station (near the train station) and then take either one of the following bus lines: 6, 8, 11, 12 or 13.
Otherwise, from Riva Nazario Sauro (behind the nearby Piazza delle Poste) one can choose from the following bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4 or 12.

Visitor Information
The Shrine of the Madonna delle Lacrime in Syracuse is open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.; on holidays evenings the closing is delayed until 9:00 p.m.
During functions visits are not permitted.
Both male and female visitors are asked to avoid entering in clothes that are too skimpy, like shorts, sundresses, and the like. If one plans to walk about with light clothing it would be advisable to bring along clothing suitable for a visit.
For information: tel.: (++39) 0931 64077, email: info@madonnadellelacrime.it.

The sanctuary is wheelchair accessible.

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