Crypt of Saint Lucia

Beneath the Cathedral of St. Domnius in Split, originally Emperor Diocletian’s mausoleum, lies the crypt of Saint Lucia. Martyred in 304 AD during Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, she is venerated as the patron saint of the blind, those with eye ailments, and light itself. Her name, derived from the Latin “lux,” meaning light, reflects her role as a symbol of hope and clarity.

In Croatian customs, December 13th—her feast day—is marked by the planting of Christmas wheat. This tradition symbolizes life and fertility, with the sprouted wheat gracing the Christmas table as a sign of prosperity for the coming year.

While the practice of placing socks at the window for Saint Lucia to fill with gifts is less common and often associated with Saint Nicholas, some regions honor her day with similar customs, bringing joy and blessings to children.

Saint Lucia represents not only the triumph of light over darkness but also a deeper connection to faith, sight, and life itself.