Hidden in the Sicani mountains, which take their name from the ancient people who first lived in Sicily, there is something very particular and fascinating . This is the Andromeda Theater, located in the Agrigento municipality of Santo Stefano Quisquina, built by the shepherd artist Lorenzo Reina. Here, a thousand meters high in the middle of nowhere, the view from the theater is sublime , you can admire the sea, the mountains and even the island of Pantelleria. But what exactly is this theater and who made it?

Andromeda Theater, Sicily
From above – Source: Official Facebook page
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Entrance – Source: Official Facebook page
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Sunset – Source: Official Facebook page
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Panorama – Source: Official Facebook page
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Source: Official Facebook page
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Andromeda Theater, Sicily
Davide Mauro , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Lorenzo Reina is the son of shepherds and has always carried on the family business. But there is always an artistic vein inside him that is difficult to stop. During the day he would take the sheep to graze and at night he carved alabasters in the stable.

He realized that in the place where the theater now stands, the sheep were still swarming like stones and he sensed that there were particular energies here. Hence the idea of creating his work of art that after a work that lasted 30 years, everyone can admire today.

The work consisting of a circular stage and 108 stone cubes, reproduces the constellation of Andromed a. To enter it you have to go through a door that will make you enter as if into another dimension. In fact, you will find yourself in the heart of the theater, closed and surrounded by a stone wall, which ends on two columns that form a sort of panoramic door. It is advisable to come here in the afternoon to admire the sunset , which makes this place even more mystical. After paying the ticket, you will come across a room that tells the history of the place, and then continue along a small street full of works by the artist that guides you towards the theater.

Top Secret Council – The Hermitage of Santa Rosalia

Hermitage of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Figiu , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hermitage of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Berthold Werner , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hermitage of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
sicilia-nostra.it , CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hermitage of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Hermitage in the middle of the woods – John glq , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hermitage of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Berthold Werner , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hermitage of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Figiu , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Grotto of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Grotto of Santa Rosalia
Grotto of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Grotto of Santa Rosalia – Berthold Werner , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hermitage of Santa Rosalia - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Figiu , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The history of the Hermitage

Not far from the Andromeda Theater is the 17th-century Hermitage of Santa Rosalia and a fascinating cave steeped in history. It was in this cave, in fact, that Rosalia decided to live and pray as a young girl, in order to escape from the family that wanted her as a bride.

He lived here for 12 years, between 1150 and 1162 and thinks that even today in a rocky wall it is possible to read an engraving of his “EGO ROSALIA SINIBALDI QUISQUINE ET ROSARUM DOMINI FILIA AMORE D / NI MEI JESU CRISTI IN HOC ANTRO HABITARI DECREVI” in which explains living there for love in Jesus Christ. Later she took refuge in a cave in Monte Pellegrino in Palermo and is today the patron saint of the city. The hermitage was instead built in 1624 by the will of a Genoese merchant, who decided to honor the Saint.

Panorama along the road towards the Sanctuary, Source: Google Maps

How to reach the Hermitage

The hermitage is located in a very beautiful place, between hills and woods . In this regard, to get there follow the small road near the Andromeda Theater, do not take the provincial road. In this way you can admire beautiful landscapes and at times even very green, it does not even seem to be in Sicily. You can park the car in a large open space, near the statue of Santa Rosalia and then you can continue on foot along a nice path in the middle of the dense vegetation. If you want to take a walk in the woods, you will find signs for the paths near the car park.

Visiting hours of the Hermitage: Mon – Fri 16:00 – 19:00; Sat – Sun: 10:00 – 13:00 – 16:00 – 19:00. The hours change according to the month, check the timetables updated here .

Where to eat in Santo Stefano Quisquina

Nearby there is a beautiful restaurant surrounded by nature and if you want, you can also go horseback riding, as they also have a stable. Buonanotte Resort offers traditional food, such as fantastic tripe and beans.

Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Tripe And Beans
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina
Buonanotte Resort - Santo Stefano Quisquina

Activities loved by tourists in the surrounding area or in Sicily in general

Interactive map – Points of interest in purple

To locate yourself once in the area, click on the enlarge symbol at the top right of the map.

Typical dishes of the area

Here you find the typical products of the province of Agrigento , here instead i typical Sicilian dishes.

What to see around the Andromeda Theater

Here you will find listed the places to visit in Agrigento and its surroundings.

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