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The Church of St Luke Evangelist in Maranola: the crypt with six Nursing Madonnas
The Church of San Luca Evangelista stands in the upper part of Maranola, a hamlet in the municipality of Formia. Beneath the main altar and the choir lies a 14th-century crypt entirely covered in frescoes, featuring six Madonne del Latte (Nursing Madonnas) — a number that is found nowhere else in the surrounding area.
The accidentally discovered crypt
The crypt was discovered on 28 June 1997, during work being carried out on the old floor. Underneath, a Greek-cross-shaped chamber had been completely filled with rubble. It was cleared out by volunteers and members of the San Luca Committee. What emerged were frescoes from the 14th–15th centuries, a decorated fountain, and a well containing water believed to be sacred. Among the frescoes, six Nursing Madonnas — 4 enthroned, 2 seated on the ground (known as Madonne dell'Umiltà, Madonnas of Humility) — are connected to the cult of protecting women in labour and newborns.
The church
The building dates back to the 13th century. It has a single nave with 3 cross vaults, side altars, a baptismal font, transept and apse. The bell tower features single-light windows decorated with glazed ceramic basins. The Chapel of the Most Holy Body of Christ preserves 14th-century stuccoes and frescoes, with a Baroque altar and a 16th-century panel attributed to the school of Siciolante da Sermoneta.
Practical information
The entrance is marked by the Porta della Pace (Gate of Peace), a bronze work by local sculptor Gerardo De Meo, created in 1989. The church is located in Via Monte San Luca, Formia (LT).
