Venice, Italy

Demolished 1861

I have a particular affection for Santa Lucia, patron saint of sight/light… symbol of eyes! I visit her often in the church of San Geremia where she was transferred after the demolition of the Santuario of Santa Lucia and still is today! Deirdre K.

This church was originally consecrated in 1313. It was dedicated to Saint Lucy and contained her remains which were taken from Constantinople by Doge Enrico Dandalo in the Fourth Crusade. The building was supposedly renovated according to Palladio’s designs, although building was completed thirty years after his death. The convent at Santa Lucia was closed by the Napoleonic decree of 1805, which called for the suppression of all convents and monasteries in Venice. The church and convent were demolished between 1861 and 1863 to make way for the new railway station. Saint Lucy’s relics were laid to rest in the nearby church of San Geremia. The painting is based on an uncredited black-and-white photograph taken just before demolition.