Saint Lucia in Venice

On December 13, the shortest day of the year, we celebrate Saint Lucia, the patron saint of eyesight.

Everyone who comes to visit Venice often wonders why the city's train station is called ‘Venice Saint Lucia' ..... The reason is very simple: where the station is now, a building dating back to 1934 and built by Angelo Mazzoni, there was once a church and convent, dedicated to Saint Lucia, and here were also the relics of the martyr of Syracuse, stolen from Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade (1204).

If you are interested in seeing the relics, they are now located in the nearby church of San Geremia. If instead, you are curious to know what the church of Saint Lucia was like before its demolition in 1861, then visit the exhibition of Francesco Guardi, which is currently on show at the Correr Museum until January 6, 2013.

Among the several views of the city of Venice and the Grand Canal depicted by Francesco Guardi in the 17th century, there's also one that shows this church which has now disappeared.

Even today, in front of the station, you can see a plaque set in the pavement, which commemorates the spot where the church of Saint Lucia once stood.