Small in size and unadorned, it comes alive only on the occasion of the feast of St. Lucia. Inside the temple you can see the stone statue of the Saint, an 18th century work by the Giovinazzese sculptor Antonio Altieri. The building today consists of a single large rectangular room, which internally measures m. 8.60 x 4.90; it is oriented with the axis along the north – south direction and is equipped with another small room of an almost trapezoidal shape which measures on average m. 3.80 x 3.20, leaning on one side against the north wall of the church and serving as a sacristy. The building is covered with barrel vaults and has an intermediate height of m. 4 measured from the floor to the intrados of the vaults. The altar is placed on the south wall, while at the ends of the two long walls there are: the apse to the east and the main entrance door to the west. Undoubtedly in its current state, the church has a rather unusual position compared to classic Christian churches, as the main door is on the side and not in front of the altar. However, by observing the floor with some attention, we note that it is virtually the result of the fusion of a well-defined rectangle, including the door and the apse, and a square symmetrically attached to the south, and which contains the presbytery area. Furthermore, by raising your eyes and observing the vaults, you can better notice the connection of these corresponding exactly to the union of the two floor areas. The complex is made up of three distinct bodies: the small Romanesque church, the square room in which the presbytery area with the altar is arranged and the small room that serves as a sacristy. It is one of the oldest churches built, according to tradition, on the ruins of a Gentile temple dedicated to Diana. From the 17th century until the last century, it was called "Santa Lucia in Marasco or Marsico". Until the 15th century it belonged to the Marsico Abbey in Abruzzo. Next to the church there was a monastery of friars of the order of minor observants, formed around the 15th century. In 1478, due to a disastrous plague, the farmhouse was abandoned and later due to the wars between the French and the Spanish, the convent was also closed. The church of S. Lucia belongs to the Cathedral Chapter.
It is accessed along the road that runs alongside the S.S. 16 bis. Take Strada Santa Lucia on the right and continuing you will find the church on the left.
Translated by Google •
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