Cross Rosaliae

The pizzo chiacchierino ( Tatting lace) is a craftsmanship that in Sicily has been handed down since 1800 and that today sees some skilled artists of the hinterland continue the tradition. Hands, thread and an instrument called shuttle are the elements that give life to rings, knots and chains that are combined as if they were fabric jewels. Of aristocratic origin, this processing took place in the living rooms where the ladies chatted while working (hence the term chiacchierino it means chatty). It is considered the most valuable among embroideries. Santa Rosalia, a santuzza of Palermo, is the patron saint of the Sicilian capital: Palermo. Born Rosa Sinibaldi, in 1130, when in Sicily reigned the Normans, from a noble family related to King Roger II of Sicily. Promised in marriage to Prince Baldovino, the day before the wedding had a mystical vision and decided to take the vows taking refuge in a family estate, the forest of Santo Stefano di Quisquina. There she lived 12 years inside a cave documenting her choice of life with a Latin epigraph written at the entrance of the cave. Later she returned to Palermo where she settled in another cave, at the top of Monte Pellegrino, where she died. In this place in the seventeenth century  was built her sanctuary, venerated by the people of Palermo. At least once in their life every Palermo citizen undertakes the climb to the sanctuary of the santuzza.

(photo) Santa Rosalia shrine at the top of Monte Pellegrino, etching by de Saint Non, 1795