The Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia is one of the buildings that, with its Baroque façade, contributes to making the Piazza Duomo in Syracuse one of the most beautiful in Sicily. It was entirely rebuilt after being destroyed by the Val di Noto earthquake in 1693. For several years, it housed Caravaggio’s famous painting The Burial of Santa Lucia, now on display in the Church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro. Every year in May, the ‘Feast of Santa Lucia and the quails’ commemorates one of the miracles attributed to the saint. During the celebration, doves and quails are released from the church’s balcony.
The Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia: History and celebrations
The façade of the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia marks the end of the scenic Piazza Duomo in Syracuse. The current building is the one that was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1693 destroyed the original church and the adjoining monastery. The nuns of Santa Lucia wanted a church that would not be out of place amongst the other buildings in the square. For this reason, they built a larger church, moving the entrance from Via Picherali to Piazza Duomo. The Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia is also one of the stops on the procession held in Syracuse every year in May. The festival, also known as ‘Santa Lucia and the quails‘, commemorates one of the miracles attributed to the saint. According to tradition, during a famine in 1646, Lucia had two ships loaded with cereals brought into the port of Syracuse. Traditionally, entry into Syracuse Cathedral heralded the arrival of the precious cargo. During the festival, the statue of Santa Lucia, which is usually kept in the cathedral, is carried to the front of the church and doves and quails are released from the balcony on the façade.
Architecture and artwork of the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia
The Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia has two Ionic pilasters and a wrought-iron goose-breasted balcony on its façade. The Baroque entrance portal is decorated with two twisted columns and topped by a pediment carved with symbols of the saint’s martyrdom. The column and sword of martyrdom, the crown of virginity and the palm of Lucia’s sanctity are represented. The interior of the church has a single nave and is decorated with 18th-century stucco and decoration. In the central part of the vault is a fresco by Marcello Vieri depicting Santa Lucia protecting the city from famine. On the high altar is a painting from 1579 depicting Santa Lucia being led to martyrdom by Deodato Guinaccia. The silver antependium, made in 1726, is the work of the Messina silversmith, Francesco Turco. On either side of the altar are two painted wooden crosses dating back to the 14th century. The church of Santa Lucia alla Badia is enhanced by a beautiful floor of painted quadrangular majolica tiles and a wooden screen above the central door.
The burial of Santa Lucia by Caravaggio
From 2009 to 2020, the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia hosted Caravaggio’s painting The Burial of Santa Lucia. The Lombard painter produced the painting for the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, where it remained until 1983. That year it was moved to the Museo Bellomo in Syracuse. In 2006, the painting returned to the Church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro, but only for three years. In 2009, when restoration work began on the church, the painting was moved to the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia. After being exhibited in the MART (Museo di arte di Rovereto e Trento), Caravaggio’s work will return to its original location in December 2020.
Aggiungi ai preferiti