Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
same time this became a church, is probably false.) Lucia stands above a small altar where
the faithful have left scraps of paper scrawled with their prayers and their thanks. Ponder
the contrast of this dark and gloomy space with Santa Lucia, whose name means “light.”
Notice the freshwater well in the middle of the room. Because this water was believed to
have healing properties, the faithful would wash their eyes with it (particularly appropriate,
since Santa Lucia is also the patron saint of eyesight).
• Return to the middle of the Peristyle square. Remember that Diocletian believed himself
to be Jovius (Jupiter, Jr.). As worshippers exited the mausoleum of Jovius, they would look
straight ahead to the temple of Jupiter. (Back then, there were none of these medieval build-
ings cluttering up the view.) Make your way through the narrow alley (directly across from
the cathedral entry), past another headless, pawless sphinx, to explore the small...
Jupiter's Temple/St. John's Baptistery
