Realmonte, the salt cathedral

In Southern Sicily, in the area of Agrigento, precisely in Realmonte, the bowels of the earth are home to the largest salt mine of Sicily, 130 km of tunnels distributed on six levels that reach to a depth of 500 metres. The tunnels carved directly out of the salt offer a magnificent and truly emotional sight of colours and shapes, almost one-of-a-kind. The miners carved a Cathedral out of the salt and dedicated it to their patron Saint Barbara. Mass is celebrated in her honour every year on 4 December. The mine, located in ‘contrada’ Scavuzzo, is currently closed to the public but visits are possible in specific circumstances after booking and for small groups. Together with the mine of Racalmuto and Petralia Soprana, it is one of the three rock salt mines still operating on the island.

The construction of the cathedral dates to the end of the last century and it is found at the heart of the mine, at a depth of 60 metres. The altar, pulpit and statues of the Holy Family and of Santa Barbara, the bas-reliefs and the baptistery, were carved out of salt. The salt church, which is accessed through tunnels and galleries, is 20 metres wide, 8 metres high and about 100 metres long. It can seat up to 800 people. The salt mine is managed by Italkali which allows visits at certain times of the year on the last Wednesday of the month. Maximum of 30 visitors and prior booking is compulsory. For information and bookings: + 39 0922 816244 - 816777.