The pilgrimage to St. Michael’s sanctuary features several signs of devotion. In particular, some believers join solemn rites. On the square opposite the building there are the mmazzaredde, pine-needle wisps tied up with strips to a cross made with sticks, bearing witness to the visit of St. Francis, who stayed outside as he considered himself “not worthy to enter that sacred place” and removed a branch to use it as a stick. The rite of the visit consists of marking the cave walls with one's own initials or the imprint of a hand. Several marks with the names of pilgrims preceded by a cross and dating back to various periods have been found. Among the most famous pilgrims: Otto III, Henry II, Frederick II of Swabia and several popes, among which John Paul II.