Sicily Plans Catholic Mount Rushmore

Looking for an edge in the battle with Greece and Spain for tourists, Sicily has devised a masterplan: a Roman Catholic Mount Rushmore.

There are plans for the faces of the Pope, Mother Teresa and Padre Pio, a miracle-working friar, to be carved into the hills of Segesta in an effort to corner the lucrative pilgrim tourist niche. If the local mayor has his way, the sculptures will be big enough to be seen from space and will draw 250,000 visitors annually.

Sunny, and not far from the beach, Segesta boasts a 2,500-year-old Greek theatre and temple. But the mayor, Nicola Cristaldi, argues that it needs to offer something extra.

Enter the "mystic park", depicting in red-brown rock the grace and monumentality of the three personalities who, says Mr Cristaldi, blessed last century. An altar, toilets and other facilities will be on site.

Each face, 20 metres (65ft) high, will rival those of the four US presidents carved into the Black hills of South Dakota. The €5m (£3m) cost will be split between private investors, the regional government and nearby Calatafimi.

But the scheme has its critics. Environmentalists fear that Segesta's natural beauty will be destroyed, while archaeologists say funds would be better spent on excavations around the Greek ruins. And not all the locals are thrilled with the prospect of bulldozers shattering the valley's tranquility.

The critics' lawyers have promised a battle royal if Mr Cristaldi wins the backing of the regional government for a planning application.