Villa Santa Lucia
Welcome to Villa Santa Lucia, a community with a rich history and tradition!
Welcome to Villa Santa Lucia, a municipality located in the heart of southern Lazio, at the foot of Mount Cairo on the western slope of Montecassino. With its 2501 inhabitants, this small yet charming community can be considered divided into Villa Santa Lucia Alta and Villa Santa Lucia Bassa.
The physical geography of Villa Santa Lucia
The territory of Villa Santa Lucia is characterized by both flat and mountainous areas, including the prominent Mount Cairo, on whose foothills the world-famous Abbey of Montecassino is located.
The history of Villa Santa Lucia
The history of Villa Santa Lucia has ancient origins, with Paleolithic and Neolithic finds discovered in the locality of Santa Scolastica, so named because it was the venue for annual meetings between St. Scholastica and her brother St. Benedict. The town was once called Villa di Piedimonte and dates back to 1052, when it was recorded as being part of the territory of Aquino. It later came under the control of Montecassino, and the area is rich in evidence of the age of abbey monasticism.
Society and religion in Villa Santa Lucia
The population of Villa Santa Lucia mostly professes the Catholic religion within the diocese of Sora-Cassino-Aquino-Pontecorvo. The community is an agricultural and industrial center and is home to numerous churches and sanctuaries, such as the Benedictine Church of Colloquio, the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, the Parish Church of St. Lucia V.M., the Napoleonic Cemetery, the remains of the castle of Piumarola and the castle of Sant'Angelo in Fortunula, as well as the ruins of the church of San Nicola della cicogna and two Benedictine hermitages.
Economy and infrastructure
The economy of Villa Santa Lucia is mainly based on agriculture and industry. In 2015, the 97 companies operating in the municipality employed 773 people, with an average of just under eight employees per company. Moreover, the community is served by the Piedimonte-Villa Santa Lucia-Aquino railway station, located about four kilometers from the center.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Villa Santa Lucia is a community that boasts a millennia-old history and tradition, with numerous finds that testify to the passage of ancient civilizations on its territory. Today, it is an active agricultural and industrial center that offers visitors numerous treasures to discover, such as ancient churches and shrines and the fascinating Abbey of Montecassino, as well as a splendid panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.