The little church of the Madonna del Riposo stands at the foot of Monte Bonifato, above Alcamo, in the district of the same name. It was built in 1656 on a small plot, about five and a half metres by four, donated by Doctor Diego Nicodemi, as two deeds of the notary La Perna attest. The oldest record of the decorations for the feast of Santa Maria del Riposo dates from 9 September 1665.
What to see
The church was rebuilt in the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1939 it was restored with the offerings of the faithful, and the Virgilio family, owners of the site, donated a painting on slate with the image of the Madonna, attributed to Giuseppe Renda; electric lighting, new furnishings and rooms for the caretaker beside the sacristy were added.
Before the 1968 earthquake the feast was held on the Sunday of the week dedicated to the Name of Mary, around 12 September, with two Masses and a sung Mass, lights, stalls, band concerts and fireworks. In 1968 the Belice earthquake damaged the little church, which was closed; the painting of the Madonna was taken by the Lipari, heirs of the Virgilio family, and the feast has not been held since.
Visiting
In 1986 the Bishop of Trapani made it a parish, pending a larger church that was never built; for a time the parish was based in the nearby little church of the Santissimo Salvatore. After 1968 the little church remained closed: any openings should be checked.
Our editors' tip
A reproduction of Renda's painting, made by Francesco di Giovanni in 1989, hangs in the little church of the Santissimo Salvatore, on the road climbing Monte Bonifato.
