The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Syracuse
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary rises on the high part of Ortigia Island, incorporating what was the main sacred temple in Doric style of Syracuse’s polis, dedicated to Athens (Minerva) and converted into church with the advent of Christianity.
Considered the most important church in the city of Syracuse, it became part of the UNESCO-protected heritage. Its style is mainly baroque and rococo in the outside, while inside it alternate parts dating to the Siceliot era, since they belonged to the Greek temple and parts dating back to medieval times, built by the Byzantines towards the sixteenth century and so leave until the present day. Its internal structure is composed of several aisles and chapels, which have a classic and decorated style, typical of Baroque style.
Of great religious significance, it holds statues, relics and remains of saints, martyrs and noble Syracusans. His furnishings have seen the succession of artists coming from most parts of Italy and abroad. Always a symbol of Siracusa’s religiousness, the cathedral has crossed the various historical and cultural phases of the city.
The chapel of Santa Lucia is of great significance for the Syracusans, as it is kept in it memorabilia and memories of its history. This chapel was designed by the architect Siracusano Pompeo Picherali, towards the years of the eighteenth century. The chapel’s shape is rectangular with a dome on the ceiling. The frescoes that decorate the dome are the work of the Milanese painter Mario Albertella who worked there in 1926. Behind the altar there is a painting, oil on canvas, depicting the vergine Lucia from Syracuse, work of an unknown artist who painted this painting towards the 13th century. Behind the picture there is a niche, or a cavity, in which is placed the precious silvery simulacrum of Santa Lucia. It is the work of the sculptor of Palermo, Pietro Rizzo (1599-1600), while the chest, also in silver, on which the simulacrum rests, is attributed to Nibilio Gagini, and is decorated with bas-reliefs representing the scenes of Santa’s life. The simulacrum is kept closed, safe, inside an enclosure formed by two wooden doors and in front of them a robust iron gate that protects it, since it is considered the most precious work of the Duomo, and since it was once stolen and then found again, from that moment more precautionary measures have been taken. A photo on the right side of the altar allows you to see the silvery statue of the Saint in a depiction of the religious feast dedicated to it.