The Relais Santa Maria del Bosco is housed in a former abbey that hosted Benedictine monks and that was then given to the Olivetan Congregation. The original abbey, that is supposed to date back to 1300, was built thanks to a group of hermits who, accused of heresy, lived here until they started following the Benedictive Rule. The monumental complex, completed in the 17th century, develops on four levels around two large cloisters. The first cloister, square-shaped, with 36 columns with Doric capitals spaced out by round arches and niches, has at its center a big fountain in Baroque style. On the other hand, the second cloister has a rectangular plan, with columns with Doric capitals supporting round arches and, at its center, a fountain dating back to 1713. The abbey, surrounded by about 200 hectares of forest land, offers an incomparable view on western Sicily. Lastly, a church, with a Latin cross plan, built between 1643 and 1757, is located between the monastery and the towering, cuspidate and pyramid bell-tower. Once crossed the threshold of the monastery, the guest is introduced to the elegant and suggestive rooms by a hallway long 108 meters with cross vaults and red curtains. The rooms are housed in the ancient monks’ cells, as well as being characterized by the sacredness of ancient times.