I found this wonderful Hotel in the Summer of 2017. It was on a trip that included: Palermo, Agrigento, Lercara Friddi, Catania, Taormina, & Sircusa, Sicily. I found this hotel (DOMUS MARIAE) and booked it while in CATANIA on BOOKING.com ... "I fell in love with the hotel. They gave me a Lovely Room with a Balcony overlooking the Sea. It was Gorgeous. The hotel was housed in a 500 year old Sicilian Convent, and stilled owned by Nuns. The had another hotel Domaus Marine Benessere across the street, where you have breakfast, the pool is there, and that's where they have bicycles if you want to use one. I did, twice. You get a wonderful Breakfast that is included with the room, which are very reasonably priced.
I fell in love with the hotel. I had originally booked it for just two days, but everyday I'd keep asking them if I could have the room for another day. They were very gracious and accommodated me. I ended up staying for 5 days instead of just two. I had a most wonderful time. I adored the hotel, and absolutely loved the Island of Ortigia, and my stay in Siracusa. I highly recommended the hotel and this lovely city. .... author Daniel Bellino Zwicke....
According to The Golden Legend, Saint Lucy had bestowed her wealth on the poor, in gratitude for the miraculous healing of her mother. Denounced as a Christian by her own suitor who wrongly suspected her of infidelity, she refused to recant, offered her chastity to Christ, and was sentenced to be dragged to a brothel. Miraculously, nothing could move her or displace her from the spot where she stood. She was pierced by a knife in the throat and, where she fell, the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro in Syracuse was built.
Caravaggio had escaped from prison on Malta in 1608, fleeing to Syracuse. There his Roman companion Mario Minniti helped him get a commission for the present altarpiece. Caravaggio painted it in 1608, for the Franciscan church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro. The choice of subject was driven by the fact that St. Lucy was the patron saint of Syracuse and had been interred below the church. The subject was unusual, but especially important to the local authorities, who were eager to reinforce the local cult of St. Lucy, which had sustained a setback with the theft of her remains during the Middle Ages.
