Located in the Sasso Caveoso, the church of Santa Lucia alle Malve was part of an ancient coenoby formed by several caves dug into a calcarenite boulder, between the 8th and 9th centuries, to house a convent of nuns linked to the rule of San Benedetto.
Originally dedicated to Sant’Agata, the monastery assumed the title of Santa Lucia and Agatha between 1217 and 1267, to later retain only that of Santa Lucia.
The nuns in 1283 decided to move to the Monastery of Santa Lucia alla Civita while continuing to use the Chiesa alle Malve for their religious services.
The complex gradually fell into total abandonment over the following centuries. Some parts were then used as modest shelters, and this use continued until the 1960s.
Today, the complex has three entrances: two for the church, one for the adjoining relevant premises.