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The variant toponyms “Itria” or “Idria”, that
often indicate some cult buildings, monasteries or chapels, come
both from the Byzantine cult of Madonna d’Odegitria. In ancient
times, the sanctuaries that had the name “Itria” or “Idria” were
near some crossroads, so that the Madonna could defend the ones
that passed by: this is from where “Madonna of the good way”
comes.
In the South, expecially in the Salento area (like some
researches made by Giovanni Liuzzi testify), there are other
places with the toponym “Itria”: Copertino (Santa Maria d’Idria
chapel, 1452); Galatone (a little church in Piazza d’Idria,
1519); Lecce (toward Porta Rugge, the little church of Santa
Maria d’Idria) Matino, Nociglia, Bova, Cirò Marina, Gerace,
Reggio, Matera, Casaranello are other places in which there are
religious buildings consecrated to Santa Maria d’Itria. |
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There are different theories about the image
of the Madonna d’Odegitria, painted by the Apostle Luke.
According to many authors, they remind the image worshipped in
the late Costantinopoli Empire. In the picture, next to the
title, there is the Madonna d’Odegitria in a fresco in the
Cappuccini church (first chapel on the left), that has recently
been restored. |
