Santa Lucia in Selci
Encyclopedia
The Church of Saint Lucy in Selci is an ancient Roman Catholic church, located in Rome, dedicated to Saint Lucy
, a 4th century virgin and martyr.
back in the 6th century. The building was restored by Pope Honorius I
in the 7th century and again by Pope Leo III
in the 9th century.
The deaconry of Saint Lucy in Silice (or in Orpha) created around 300 is one of the seven original deaconries in Rome. It was confirmed by Pope Saint Sylvester I ca. 314. The church was restored by Pope Honorius I
ca 630 in the vicinity of the monumental fountain lacus orphei. It was assigned to one of the seven deacons by Pope Agatho
ca. 678. According to Liber Pontificalis
, this deaconry received donations from Pope Leo III
(795-816). After the 10th Century it was known as Santa Lucia in Silice. The deaconry was suppressed in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V
.
In the 13th century, a monastery was attached to the church, enclosing it. In 1370, it was granted to the Carthusians. In 1534, it was given to the Benedictines, and in 1568 Pope Pius V granted it to the Augustinians
, who still serve the church. Pope Urban VIII altered the monastery in 1624, enlarging it and dividing it into three parts. One was kept by the Augustinians, one was given to Dominican friars and the last was given to the Poor Clares. The monastery was amplified in 1603 according to designs by Bartolomeo Bassi
, active in Rome at that time. However, all that remains of this amplification is the portal of the exterior. In 1878 the Italian state expropriated the convent of the Poor Clares, adjacent to San Lorenzo in Panisperna
, but the nuns came to the monastery of Santa Lucia in Selci.
Carlo Maderno
reconstructed the church in 1604, keeping it enclosed within the Augustinian monastery
. The church was then restored in 1637-1638 by Francesco Borromini
.
. It has a single nave with three shallow chapels on each side. The barrel vault has a 19th century fresco by an unknown artist that replaced one with the same motif by Giovanni Antonio Lelli
, depicting the Glory of St Lucy. The counterfaçade is decorated with the painting God the Father by Cavaliere d'Arpino. The high altar dates from the 19th century, and replaces one made by Borromini. The painting above the high altar depicting the Annunciation is a work of the Florentine painter Anastasio Fontebuoni
.
The Landi Chapel, commissioned by the prioress Vittoria Landi, is the first chapel on the left. It was decorated by Borromini, and the altarpiece is a painting by Cavaliere d'Arpino depicting The Holy Trinity with Saint Augustine and Saint Monica
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the second on the left, contains works attributed to Carlo Maderno: a tabernacle in polychrome marble and gilt bronze and the alabaster statues.
At the first altar on the right is the painting Martyrdom of St Lucy by Giovanni Lanfranco
.
The Vision of St Augustine by Andrea Camassei
is at the second altar on the right. In the choir, attributed to Francesco Borromini, several paintings by Baccio Ciarpi
are displayed .
Saint Lucy
Saint Lucy , also known as Saint Lucia, was a wealthy young Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint by Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox Christians. Her feast day in the West is 13 December; with a name derived from lux, lucis "light", she is the patron saint of those who are...
, a 4th century virgin and martyr.
History
The church was built no later than the 8th century above the ruins of a Roman structure, the Portico of Livia. According to the tradition, the first church was built under Pope SymmachusPope Symmachus
Saint Symmachus was pope from 498 to 514. His tenure was marked by a serious schism over who was legitimately elected pope by the citizens of Rome....
back in the 6th century. The building was restored by Pope Honorius I
Pope Honorius I
Pope Honorius I was pope from 625 to 638.Honorius, according to the Liber Pontificalis, came from Campania and was the son of the consul Petronius. He became pope on October 27, 625, two days after the death of his predecessor, Boniface V...
in the 7th century and again by Pope Leo III
Pope Leo III
Pope Saint Leo III was Pope from 795 to his death in 816. Protected by Charlemagne from his enemies in Rome, he subsequently strengthened Charlemagne's position by crowning him as Roman Emperor....
in the 9th century.
The deaconry of Saint Lucy in Silice (or in Orpha) created around 300 is one of the seven original deaconries in Rome. It was confirmed by Pope Saint Sylvester I ca. 314. The church was restored by Pope Honorius I
Pope Honorius I
Pope Honorius I was pope from 625 to 638.Honorius, according to the Liber Pontificalis, came from Campania and was the son of the consul Petronius. He became pope on October 27, 625, two days after the death of his predecessor, Boniface V...
ca 630 in the vicinity of the monumental fountain lacus orphei. It was assigned to one of the seven deacons by Pope Agatho
Pope Agatho
-Background and early life:Little is known of Agatho before his papacy. A letter written by St. Gregory the Great to the abbot of St. Hermes in Palermo mentions an Agatho, a Greek born in Sicily to wealthy parents. He wished to give away his inheritance and join a monastery, and in this letter...
ca. 678. According to Liber Pontificalis
Liber Pontificalis
The Liber Pontificalis is a book of biographies of popes from Saint Peter until the 15th century. The original publication of the Liber Pontificalis stopped with Pope Adrian II or Pope Stephen V , but it was later supplemented in a different style until Pope Eugene IV and then Pope Pius II...
, this deaconry received donations from Pope Leo III
Pope Leo III
Pope Saint Leo III was Pope from 795 to his death in 816. Protected by Charlemagne from his enemies in Rome, he subsequently strengthened Charlemagne's position by crowning him as Roman Emperor....
(795-816). After the 10th Century it was known as Santa Lucia in Silice. The deaconry was suppressed in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V
Pope Sixtus V
Pope Sixtus V , born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was Pope from 1585 to 1590.-Early life:The chronicler Andrija Zmajević states that Felice's family originated from modern-day Montenegro...
.
In the 13th century, a monastery was attached to the church, enclosing it. In 1370, it was granted to the Carthusians. In 1534, it was given to the Benedictines, and in 1568 Pope Pius V granted it to the Augustinians
Augustinians
The term Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo , applies to two separate and unrelated types of Catholic religious orders:...
, who still serve the church. Pope Urban VIII altered the monastery in 1624, enlarging it and dividing it into three parts. One was kept by the Augustinians, one was given to Dominican friars and the last was given to the Poor Clares. The monastery was amplified in 1603 according to designs by Bartolomeo Bassi
Bartolomeo Bassi
Bartolomeo Bassi was an Italian painter active in the early-Baroque period, mainly in his hometown of Genoa. He was a disciple of Giovanni Andrea Ansaldo, and painted quadratura. Died at age 40 years.-References:...
, active in Rome at that time. However, all that remains of this amplification is the portal of the exterior. In 1878 the Italian state expropriated the convent of the Poor Clares, adjacent to San Lorenzo in Panisperna
San Lorenzo in Panisperna
San Lorenzo in Panisperna, or San Lorenzo in Formoso, is a church on Via Panisperna, Rome, central Italy. It was built on the site of its dedicatee's martyrdom.-Name:...
, but the nuns came to the monastery of Santa Lucia in Selci.
Carlo Maderno
Carlo Maderno
Carlo Maderno was a Swiss-Italian architect, born in Ticino, who is remembered as one of the fathers of Baroque architecture. His façades of Santa Susanna, St. Peter's Basilica and Sant'Andrea della Valle were of key importance in the evolution of the Italian Baroque...
reconstructed the church in 1604, keeping it enclosed within the Augustinian monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
. The church was then restored in 1637-1638 by Francesco Borromini
Francesco Borromini
Francesco Borromini, byname of Francesco Castelli was an architect from Ticino who, with his contemporaries, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Pietro da Cortona, was a leading figure in the emergence of Roman Baroque architecture.A keen student of the architecture of Michelangelo and the ruins of...
.
Interior
The church is built on a rectangular ground plan and barrel vaultBarrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
. It has a single nave with three shallow chapels on each side. The barrel vault has a 19th century fresco by an unknown artist that replaced one with the same motif by Giovanni Antonio Lelli
Giovanni Antonio Lelli
Giovanni Antonio Lelli was an Italian painter of the Baroque period. He was a pupil of the painter Cigoli. In the church of San Matteo in Merulana in Rome , he painted an Annunciation. He painted a Visitation for the Convent della Minerva...
, depicting the Glory of St Lucy. The counterfaçade is decorated with the painting God the Father by Cavaliere d'Arpino. The high altar dates from the 19th century, and replaces one made by Borromini. The painting above the high altar depicting the Annunciation is a work of the Florentine painter Anastasio Fontebuoni
Anastasio Fontebuoni
Anastasio Fontebuoni was an Italian Baroque painter, native of Florence. Fontebuoni proved to be one of the Florentine painters are more open to the influence of Caravaggio's naturalism. Fontebuoni was educated in the school of Domenico Passignano. According to Giovanni Baglioni, he visited Rome...
.
The Landi Chapel, commissioned by the prioress Vittoria Landi, is the first chapel on the left. It was decorated by Borromini, and the altarpiece is a painting by Cavaliere d'Arpino depicting The Holy Trinity with Saint Augustine and Saint Monica
Saint Monica
Saint Monica may refer to:*Saint Monica, a Christian saint and mother of Saint Augustine*Saint Monica , a 2002 Canadian film...
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the second on the left, contains works attributed to Carlo Maderno: a tabernacle in polychrome marble and gilt bronze and the alabaster statues.
At the first altar on the right is the painting Martyrdom of St Lucy by Giovanni Lanfranco
Giovanni Lanfranco
Giovanni Lanfranco was an Italian painter of the Baroque period.-Biography:Giovanni Gaspare Lanfranco was born in Parma, the third son of Stefano and Cornelia Lanfranchi, and was placed as a page in the household of Count Orazio Scotti...
.
The Vision of St Augustine by Andrea Camassei
Andrea Camassei
Andrea Camassei was an Italian Baroque painter and engraver, who was mainly active in Rome under the patronage of the Barberini.He was born in Bevagna. He was active in painting in the Palazzo Barberini as well as in Antonio Barberini's favored church, Santa Maria della Concezione, where he...
is at the second altar on the right. In the choir, attributed to Francesco Borromini, several paintings by Baccio Ciarpi
Baccio Ciarpi
Baccio Ciarpi was an Italian painter of the late-Mannerism and early-Baroque style. Born in Barga in Tuscany, he was active in Rome and Florence. He is best known for having mentored briefly Pietro da Cortona. He painted a number of canvases, including a Madonna del Rosario and Crucifixion with...
are displayed .
List of Cardinal-deacons of Santa Lucia in Selci
List of the Cardinal-deacons until the suppression of the deaconry in 1577:- Cardinal Cencio Savelli (1193–1201)
- Cardinal Philibert Hugonet (17 May 1473 - 17 August 1477)
- Cardinal Georg Hesler von Wurzburg (12 December 1477 - 21 September 1482)
- Cardinal Hélie de BourdeillesHélie de BourdeillesHélie de Bourdeilles was a French Franciscan, Archbishop of Tours and Cardinal.He was the son of the viscount Arnaud de Bourdeilles...
(15 November 1483 - 5 July 1484) - Cardinal Ippolito I d'Este (23 September 1493 - 3 September 1520)
- Cardinal Giacomo Savelli (16 April 1540 - 8 January 1543)
- Cardinal Ranuccio FarneseRanuccio Farnese (Cardinal)Ranuccio Farnese was an Italian prelate, who was Cardinal of Santa Lucia in Messina, Sicily from 1545 to his death in 1565....
(5 May 1546 - 8 October 1546) - Cardinal Alessandro Campeggi (4 December 1551 - 21 September 1554)
- Cardinal Johann Gropper (13 January 1556 - 13 March 1559)
- Cardinal Innico d'Avalos d'AragonaInnico d'Avalos d'AragonaInnico d'Avalos d'Aragona , , was an Italian Cardinal, from Naples.He was the son of condottiero Alfonso d'Avalos d´Aquino,...
(3 June 1561 - 30 July 1563) - Cardinal Luigi d'EsteLuigi d'EsteLuigi d'Este was an Italian Catholic cardinal, the second of the five children of Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Modena and Ferrara, and Renée, daughter of Louis XII of France.-Biography:...
(22 October 1563 - 31 July 1577)