Amid places and people, holiness and mysticism, the figure of the hermit Fra Giuseppe has taken deep root not only in Buscemi, but throughout the entire Hyblaean region. Of peasant origin, he was born in Buscemi in 1891 and died there in his grotto in 1975. His profound bond with the Madonna of the Woods led him to live alone in the hermitage next to the church. But that wasn’t enough. He chose a nearby cave, where he began his life as a hermit. There, without any formal artistic training, he began to carve and paint his works using what little he had: a chisel, a hammer, and natural pigments.
In his cave—at once a “church” and a home—he sculpted a Madonna in the rock, which he named “Our Lady of the Gaze.” In this place, located in the Maliarda district (a Magghiarda) of Buscemi, he made his “dwelling.” But he was a wanderer. He had to move through the Hyblaean mountains, visiting local massari and peasants in the countryside, bringing them greetings and his “blessing.”

Wherever he went, he left a trace of his presence: he carved candlesticks, monstrances, crucifixes—in exchange for a bit of bread, some wheat, or a few legumes. In the cave next to the first, he carved another Madonna, which he called “Magghiarda.” What strikes visitors most are the magnificent, large statues he left in the countryside, especially near wells, where they were placed as guardians to protect the animals.

He lived by alms and fasting. His reputation spread among the people of the Hyblaean region, and an aura of sanctity lingered in the places he frequented.

Today, the “places” of Fra Giuseppe form a true path of devotion, inviting meditation. They have become, in their own way, sacred places—still inspiring reflection and popular pietas.

 

This element has been included in the Register of Intangible Heritage of local interest of the Municipality of Buscemi, as part of Intervention 2 “Activation of the Observatory on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Territory through the application of the REIL methodology – Register of Intangible Heritage of Local Interest”, within the”Buscemi Borgo Immateriale” project, funded by the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), Mission: Digitalisation, innovation, competitiveness, culture and tourism, Component: Tourism and culture 4.0, Investment 2.1 “Attractiveness of villages.” CUP: I84H22000050006.