CATACOMB OF SANTA LUCIA
Memory and Devotion
The Catacomb of Santa Lucia is the oldest Christian cemetery in Syracuse and preserves the place where Saint Lucia was buried after her martyrdom. Dating back to the 4th century, it represents one of the earliest testimonies of the presence of the Church in Sicily.
It extends beneath the present-day Piazza Santa Lucia and includes a community cemetery and private hypogea, divided into four areas. The oldest sections feature galleries with loculi, while the more recent ones include funerary cubicles arranged along the corridors.
Over the centuries, the site has undergone several modifications, including adaptations as air-raid shelters during the Second World War. Today, the Catacomb of Santa Lucia remains a place of great historical and spiritual value for Syracuse.
SANCTUARY OF SANTA LUCIA AT THE SEPULCHRE
Guardian of the Faith and the Memory of the Martyr Lucia
The Basilica of Santa Lucia is the heart of Syracusan devotion, a place where art and spirituality intertwine in a centuries-old narrative. Its architecture reflects the historical layers of the city: from the 14th-century bell tower to the Norman portal with stylophore lions, from the Gothic rose window to the 18th-century portico, built to welcome pilgrims who, over the centuries, carved their signatures into the stone. Particularly evocative is the Aragonese wooden ceiling, decorated with 15th-century paintings that are still visible today.
The basilica still preserves a profound symbol of Saint Lucia’s history: a granite column, traditionally identified as the place where the saint suffered martyrdom by beheading. Today, among the remains of the colonnade and the apse in local stone, the original layout is still clearly legible, full of charm and history.
CARAVAGGIO IN SYRACUSE
One of the most celebrated events linked to the Basilica of Santa Lucia is Caravaggio’s stay in Syracuse in 1608.
The master of chiaroscuro, fleeing from Malta, created here his moving Burial of Saint Lucia, one of his most intense works, now once again displayed inside the Basilica, in the place for which it was originally conceived.
The scene is dominated by dark tones and dramatic light. In the foreground, two massive gravediggers dig the grave, while the slender body of the saint lies on the ground. The enormous dark and bare wall that dominates the scene amplifies the sense of silence and solemnity, transforming the work into a powerful narrative of sacrifice and spirituality.
THE SEPULCHRE OF SANTA LUCIA
The octagonal church, designed by Giovanni Vermexio in the 17th century, is accessible via a scenographic double-ramp staircase. Inside stands the marble statue of Saint Lucia, created by Gregorio Tedeschi in 1634.
The saint is depicted lying down, wrapped in soft drapery, with a serene expression that seems to watch over the city. This artistic masterpiece is particularly dear to the people of Syracuse, also because of a miraculous event: in 1735, the statue is said to have exuded liquid, strengthening devotion to Saint Lucia. Behind it lies the original burial place of Saint Lucia, visible through an opening that connects it directly to the Catacomb of Santa Lucia.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Location:
Piazza Santa Lucia 26, Syracuse
Ticket Office Opening Hours:
January
Closed from 7 to 31
February
Closed
Open on request
March
Closed
Open on request
Open again from 30 of March
9.30 am – 12.30 pm / 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Closed on: sunday
April – May – June
9.30 am – 12.30 pm / 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Closed on: sunday
July – August
10.00 am – 1.00 pm / 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Closed on: sunday
Sptember – October
9.30 am – 12.30 pm / 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Closed on: sunday
Available services:
- Paid admission;
- Guided tours Italian / English
Contacts
info@secretsiracusa.it
General information
+39 093164694
Mon–Sun 9:30 am – 12:30 pm / 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Groups and agencies
+39 09311561472
Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Experiences
in Syracuse
Enjoy a unique experience in Syracuse: cultural itineraries, authentic flavors, and personalized services. Discover the millennia-old history, art, and traditions of the island of Ortigia through a journey tailored just for you.
