A Place in the Sun

Recently I was browsing through some photos and came across pics of the Easter Camp spent in Oliveri, Northern Sicily - not far from Messina - by 'we' I mean St Michael School Scouts Group. The scenery is simply stunning and much can be found to explore on this lovely island full of historic places, a combination of hills and beaches. Oliveri is a camping / touristic zone not far from Messina. During the summer it tends to be busy, but during Easter - which is when we went - it is rather quiet, which I tend to prefer. Not far from Oliveri is the ancient village of Tindari, which lies on a hill top. Legend has it that a ship was wrecked close to this high village, and the Madonna aboard the vessel was a black Madonna (no political incorrectness intended). Until then there had been disputes as to the Madonna's skin colour, and the Madonna in this church is supposed to be the same one that was found on the wrecked ship. To explain, this hilltop village is no more than half an ...