Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
San Martino
Lucca's extraordinary cathedral, with its
façade abutting incongruously on to the
campanile, is dedicated to St Martin. He is
the Roman soldier depicted on the façade
dividing his cloak with a sword to share
with a needy beggar. This and other scenes
from the life of the saint form part of the
complex decorations covering the 13th-
century façade. There are
also reliefs depicting
The Labours of the
Months
and intricate panels of
inlaid pink, green and white
marble showing hunting
scenes, peacocks
and flowers.
The altar painting
in the
Sacristy,
The Madonna
and Saints
(1449-94), is
by Ghirlandaio.
Threshing,
the Labour of
September
Domed chapels
encircling the
apse
Romanesque blank
arcades and carved
capitals
Matteo Civitali's
marble Tempietto
(1484)
.
Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto
The Sacristy houses Jacopo della
Quercia's beautiful portrait in marble
(1405-6) of Paolo Guinigi's bride.
.
Volto Santo
This revered
13th-century
wooden effigy
was believed by
medieval pilgrims to
have been carved by Christ's
follower, Nicodemus, at the
time of the Crucifixion.
STAR FEATURES
.
Façade
. Volto Santo
. Tomb of Ilaria del
Carretto
