Surely you happened during a walk in your city, to notice the presence of votive newsstands: these are small chapels in which there is a sacred image. Often widespread especially in the South, they represent a great symbol of devotion and faith. But what is their story?
History of votive shrines
The votive aedicules have a very ancient history: they go back in fact to a tradition of the Roman civilization, which provided for the posting of sacred images of the Lares, that is of the minor deities, on the walls of the Insulae and the Domus. The votive aedicule already existed in Greek and later Roman times and with the edict of Theodosius I in 397 after Christ the construction of these symbols of devotion was encouraged, replacing the themes of pagan worship with those of Christians.
Votive aedicules were widespread in the Middle Ages and even more so with the advent of Protestantism: they were in fact used by the Catholic Church to counter this new branch of Christianity that was increasingly spreading.
The function of the votive shrine, as it is easy to understand, is to be a point of reference and aggregation to gather the devout faithful in prayer. In ancient times it was used to place votive shrines to protect houses, streets and corporations: women had the task of taking care of the newsstand, placing flowers and candles.
There are different types of votive newsstands:
- A chapel, or a small building that contains the sacred image to be venerated and often a space with an altar where you can pray;
- Sailing: in this case it is an independent building consisting only of a wall with the sacred image;
- A niche: the votive shrine is made from a niche that is obtained in the walls of houses but also along the roads by walls to contain the ground.
The votive shrines are found along the streets to give a sign of hope and courage to those who walk: they are found, for example, on the walls of houses, as a symbol of faith that covers the place where all human events take place, where there is love, mutual affection, but also moments of suffering.
The votive aedicules of Palermo
Votive aedicules are widespread especially in the cities of southern Italy: one of the examples is the city of Palermo, where these signs of devotion are called “marunnuzzi” or “santuzzi”. They are often found in small courtyards or streets, both ancient and recent, with writings that invite travelers to pray and give a small donation.
The image is mostly painted directly on the wall or on the wood, much more rarely on glass and canvas: not infrequently there are statuettes or antique prints. The most representative subject in the Palermo votive newsstands is the Virgin Mary, but there are also very present images of the “Santuzza”, or Saint Rosalia patron saint of the city of Palermo.
The votive newsstands at Palermo are handed down from generation to generation: for those who take care of them, putting flowers or candles as a symbol of devotion is a moment of joy to share with others or with themselves in prayer.
In ancient times, in some streets, the lights on the votive newsstands were the only source of lighting: for example, that of the “Madonna della Volta” that connects the current Piazza Venezia with the butcher’s district. Some votive shrines were built by the city senate, in most cases to thank Santa Rosalia for the end of the plague that hit the city hard in the seventeenth century.
In other cases instead the votive aedicules were built by private citizens as a simple act of devotion or as a thanksgiving for a grace received from the Saints or Our Lady.
In any case, as you may have guessed, that of votive shrines is an Italian custom to protect: often, regardless of religious belief, These small sacred images in the streets can be of help at a difficult time or simply be appreciated for their artistic and cultural value.
Cover Image: magazine.leviedeitesori