Catacombs of Saint Lucia in Syracuse
Together with the Catacombs
of San Giovanni, the Catacombs
of Saint Lucia are the most easily visited part of the entire complex
of Syracuse’s catacombs, which in terms of expansiveness and articulation
are second only to those of Rome.
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| Thousands of burial recesses pierce the walls of the tunnels of the Syracusan catacombs. |
The catacombs were dug starting in the 4th century AD, and were frequented for many centuries, even after losing their original purpose as a cemetery, becoming, in fact, small underground places of Christian worship, among the most important of which is undoubtedly the tomb of Saint Lucia, which now stands on its own but was once an integrated part of the tunnels.
As with the catacombs of San Giovanni,
a very particular atmosphere pervades this site, filled with light and
shadow that is at times unsettling, despite the fact that the state of
conservation of the part open for visits can unfortunately be precarious.
Also here, after thousands of years of
looting, only the "bare bones" survive, as it is completely stripped of
colored plaster, mosaics, stone slabs that decorated at least the graves
of the wealthy, and even the small objects placed at the fastening of the
tombs to distinguish one from another.
Only the tunnels remain, immersed in the
penumbra and riddled with hundreds and hundreds of niches, as far as the
eye can see.
Only in one of the areas open for visits
does the ceiling reveal an appreciable part of a Byzantine
chapel (painted with a row of saints in the 8th or 9th century),
later enlarged to accommodate an enormous cistern, as evidenced by the
waterproof plaster that still covers the walls.
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| A space within the Catacombs of Santa Lucia of Syracuse, a converted cistern. |
At the conclusion of a visit to the actual catacomb (which is relatively quick, given that most of the structure is at risk of collapse and therefore not accessible), one enters the Rotunda of Saint Lucia, constructed by breaking through the tunnels of the ancient cemetery in order to present on one side of the opening the ancient tomb of Saint Lucia on its own.
How to reach the catacombs of Saint
Lucia from the Algilà
Ortigia Charme Hotel.
The architectural complex of Saint Lucia
of Syracuse is located about one kilometer
/ 0.62 miles away from Ortigia,
which makes it possible, if desired, to reach it by foot.
By car one can reach it by following the
Riviera Dionisio il Grande (the road that runs along the sea), turning
left towards Piazza Santa Lucia.
Those who do not have their own transportation
can call a taxi from the reception desk at a special rate, or use the bicycles
that the Hotel Algilà offers for free to its guests.
 |
| The statue of Santa Lucia, a work by Gregorio Tedeschi (1634). |
Visitor Information
The opening and tours of the catacombs
and the attached tomb
of Saint Lucia are entrusted to the
cooperative Kairòs.
Visits (tickets € 6, € 4 reduced, € 2
educational discount, including the cost of the guide) take place by way
of a guided tour every 15 to 30 minutes, from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. in the summer). Closed
on Monday.
The guide, who is well-prepared and very
courteous (although sometimes speaking a rather italianate kind of English),
provides an explanation of the history and significance of the site.
For information: Kairòs, tel. /
fax (++39) 0932 64694.
Accessibility
The catacomb is accessed via stairs and
passages that are at times narrow, not permitting access, therefore, to
people with mobility problems.
The visit is not recommended also for
people who suffer from claustrophobia, owing to the absence of an external
opening.
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