The imposing marble staircase greets you. Welcome to San Martino delle Scale. This isn’t just any village. It’s a place steeped in history nestled high above Palermo.
San Martino delle Scale boasts a magnificent abbey. This architectural marvel is much more than meets the eye. It stands as a testament to centuries of monastic life and artistic achievement. Legend whispers of its founding by Pope Gregory the Great in 604. Scholars however debate this. More reliable records point to its refoundation in 1347. Six Benedictine monks from Etna’s San Nicola monastery played a key role. Under the leadership of Blessed Angelo Sinisio they established a new monastic community.
The abbey thrived for centuries. It became a significant force in the region. Its influence extended far beyond the religious sphere. Think of Giuliano Mayali. This monk was an ambassador for King Alfonso. He even secured for San Martino delle Scale the regal robe of the Bey of Tunis. This wasn’t the only treasure. He brought back precious relics of the Holy Cross and the Holy Thorn. These are now housed in exquisite reliquaries. These were crafted by the silversmith Pietro di Spagna in the late 15th century.
Within San Martino delle Scale’s abbey walls. Artistic treasures abound. Marvel at canvases by masters such as Pietro Novelli Filippo Paladini and Zoppo di Gangi. Admire the stunning inlaid wooden choir. It stretches an impressive 20 meters. The 16th-century Neapolitan sculptors Benvenuto Tortelli Nunzio Ferrara and G B Vigilante created this. Later additions from the 18th century by Nunzio di Paola and Pietro Marino complete the work. The abbey’s organ is another highlight. It’s a magnificent 16th-century instrument. A recent restoration makes it one of Sicily’s finest functioning organs.
More wonders await you. The 14th-century marble portal displays scenes of the Easter Mystery. The sacristy enchants with its polychrome marbles and sculpted wood. The Chapel of Relics holds four saints’ bodies and over 1253 relics. These include the relics of the Holy Cross and Holy Thorn mentioned earlier. Most of the sculptures in the complex are the work of Fra Guglielmo Benedetto Papillonia. He used black pietra di paragone and white marble. Ignazio Marabitti sculpted the monumental Oreto fountain and a statue of the Bishop of Tours.
Today San Martino delle Scale remains vital. The abbey serves as a parish church. Various Catholic groups and movements gather here. The Martinian Choir even performs at the RAI auditorium. The monks continue their traditional activities. They restore books sell medicinal herbs and local products. They also brew the acclaimed Hora Benedicta abbey beer which has earned national recognition.
So take a moment to soak in the atmosphere. San Martino delle Scale. It is a place where history faith and art intertwine to create a truly unforgettable experience.