In Cannaregio district of Venice overlooking the Gran Canal stands San Geremia, a Baroque church with a distinctive 12th century Romanesque brick tower. The church is dedicated to Saint Jeremiah, but also holds the relics of Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia di Siracusa) which had been previously kept in the church by the same name, but were transferred to San Geremia in 1861 when the church of Saint Lucy was pulled down to build a railway station. 

In 1981 precisely these relics were the cause of a burglary in San Geremia. The church was broken into and the Saint’s remains were stolen to be retrieved months later on the day of her celebration, 13 December.

Saint Lucy’s grave is still the main attraction among visitors and pilgrims that come to the church in increasing numbers every year to light a candle and to pray to this patron saint of the blind and visually impaired. 

“Lucia Vergine di Siracusa rests in peace in this temple. You inspire a bright future and peace to Italy and the entire World”. (this inscription, but in Italian may be seen on the side of the church facing Grand Canal)

©Paula Borkovic

Traces of the Past is a recurrent photo challenge that happens every month (one month in colour as part of Thursday’s Special and the following month in black and white as part of Black & White Sunday). You are free to choose whatever traces of the past you can find. It does not have to be a distant one, or rich in history; it can be something personal, or it can even have a human form. Just make sure to post for it before next Thursday and to link to this blog. Happy Thursday! 

Please check out these wonderful entries to the challenge:

https://teepee12.com/2017/05/18/heritage-and-the-past-in-the-blackstone-valley/

https://travelwithintent.com/2017/05/18/fishy-past/

https://restlessjo.me/2017/05/18/the-spectacle-of-the-roman-baths/

https://delightsofthealgarve.com/2017/05/18/azulejos-porto-cathedral/

https://ledrakenoir.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/tired-tires/

https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/thursdays-special-traces-of-the-past-y3-05/

https://irenewaters19.com/2017/05/18/the-rocks-traces-of-the-past-yr-3-05-thursdays-special/

https://travel387.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/a-rich-cultural-heritage/

https://lessywannagohome.blogspot.hr/2017/05/trabant.html

https://iballrtw.com/2017/05/18/le-28-fevrier-1969/

https://attaleuntold.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/thursdays-special-traces-of-the-past-its-only-rock-n-roll-but-i-like-it/

https://suejudd.com/2017/05/18/traces-of-the-past-cornwalls-mining-heritage/

https://bushboy.blog/2017/05/19/thursdays-special-traces-of-the-past-y3-05/

https://lucidgypsy.com/2017/05/19/traces-of-the-past-exeters-city-wall/

https://empireoflights.com/2017/05/19/off-the-record-i

https://jaspasjourney.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/sams-ses-challenge-18-bridge/

https://woollymuses.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/thursdays-special-1905_traces-of-the-past/

https://tishfarrell.com/2017/05/19/of-men-turned-to-stone-and-a-cup-of-gold/

https://lynneayersbeyondthebrush.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/churchst-cajetan/

https://ceenphotography.com/2017/05/20/thursdays-special-traces-of-the-past-and-wpd-heritage/

https://justinetaylorphotography.com/2017/05/20/thursdays-special-traces-of-the-past-wpd-heritage/

https://theshowersofblessing.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/weekly-photo-challenge-chinese-heritage/

https://unavistadisanfermo.wordpress.com/2017/05/22/traces-of-the-past-15

https://dailymusing57.com/2017/05/23/thursdays-special-traces-of-the-past-7/