| The sanctuary of Santa Marina is on the western side of the small town of Ruggiano, at the Head of the peninsula called Santa Maria di Leuca.
The church is on a pilgrimage route which still today runs from the north down to the basilica of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae in Leuca, and was itself a place of pilgrimage for those who sought there a place to be healed of jaundice.
Accommodation for the pilgrims was provided by the 18th century Bishop’s residence connected to the complex, an indication of the importance that the sanctuary had taken on, at least from the 17th century onwards.
The building is on the site of a small medieval church, numerous traces of this have come to light during archaeological excavations.
The shape of the building today is the result of several renovations.
The façade, built in the mid-1700s, is divided into two parts and has two decorated entrances, surmounted by two windows.
The top is a triangular gable adorned with baroque spires.
To the left of the building there is a holy well, where pilgrims drew the water that they believed would cure their ills.
Inside the church is divided into two naves, the one on the left, added during the 16th century, is shorter than the one on the right.
The presbytery holds the fresco portraying Santa Marina, who holds a chain in her left hand which is attached to the dragon, while her right hand is about to strike the dragon.
Although the saint is portrayed in the act of defeating the demon, the Marina worshipped in Ruggiano is not the martyred saint of the 3rd century, but Saint Marina Monaco, an eastern saint who, hiding her sex, had lived an ascetic life.
In the Ruggiano fresco, the Saint is indeed wearing monastic clothing.
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