1949 Saint boxes?

I hope im not being too morbid, but when paul and i were in Le Marche house hunting, we noticed quite alot of properties had these what i call,saint boxes, at the entrance of there access roads , these beautiful structures with a figurene, a candle, inside, they would normally have the names of people also on the structure, I did actually ask an estate agent why were they there, she did not appear to be forth comming with an answer, am i right what im thinking, because paul and i fell in love with one particular house which had one, and it was quite spookey because the name on the saint box was Paola e Francesco, well my name is Francesca, I thought it was a good omen, so i took a picture of it, however needless to say the property was withdrawn of the market because of very sad circumstances, the house is still unlived in, but i like to go and visit there when i go to Le Marche, and somhow wished that things could have been diffrent, what do they mean?

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/20/2005 - 10:50

We bought a villa in Puglia and our's has a shrine at the front gate. When we went to view the owner asked if we were catholics and pointed to the shrine, we're not so nothing else was said. The previous owner still ownes the land to the rear of the house and still puts a vase of fresh flowers in even though we aren't there too often. A few weeks ago whilst we were there, I gave it a nice new lick of paint and put some flowers in it myself and I'm sure somebody told me it was to ward of evil spirits and keep the family safe (so to speak, but now quite sure), probably a bit like my nan used to have a dish of holy water just inside the front door (she was a staunch catholic). Inside is a cross with a statue of Jesus on it and he as run the electricity cable to it so that eventually it can be lit but I doubt we'll be going as far as that, the odd flowers I dont mind. :rolleyes: Good luck with your search for a place yourself. :p

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/20/2005 - 12:12

Thanks Aliena and Paula, had an idea but you both have confimed my thoughts, Paula we have found another house now, and will be compleating on the 5th dec, no shrine though, so we are keeping our fingers crossed, as all works are lined up to start restoring in january. Francesca