Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(Piazza San Martino; sacristy adult/reduced €3/2, with cathedral museum & Chiesa dei SS Giovanni e Re-
parata €7/5; 7am-6pm summer, to 5pm winter; sacristy 9.30am-4.45pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-6.45pm Sat,
11.30am-5pm Sun)
Lucca's predominantly Romanesque cathedral dates to the start of the
11th century. Its stunning facade was constructed in the prevailing Lucca-Pisan style and
designed to accommodate the pre-existing
campanile
(bell tower)
.
The reliefs over the left
doorway of the portico are believed to be by Nicola Pisano.
The cathedral interior was rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries with a Gothic flourish.
The
Volto Santo
(literally, Holy Countenance) is not to be missed. Legend has it this simply
fashioned image of a dark-skinned, life-sized Christ on a wooden crucifix was carved by
Nicodemus, who witnessed the crucifixion. In fact, it has recently been dated to the 13th
century. A major object of pilgrimage, the sculpture is carried through the streets every 13
September at dusk during the
Luminaria di Santa Croce
, a solemn torchlit procession mark-
ing its miraculous arrival in Lucca.
The cathedral's many other works of art include a magnificent
Last Supper
by Tintor-
etto above the third altar of the south aisle and Domenico Ghirlandaio's 1479
Madonna
Enthroned with Saints.
This impressive work by Michelangelo's master is currently loc-
ated in the
sacristy
. Opposite lies the exquisite, gleaming marble memorial to Ilaria del
Carretto carved by Jacopo della Quercia in 1407. The young second wife of the 15th-cen-
tury lord of Lucca, Paolo Guinigi, Ilaria died in childbirth aged only 24. At her feet lies
her faithful dog.
Museo della Cattedrale
MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.museocattedralelucca.it
;
Piazza San Martino; adult/reduced €4/3, with cathedral sacristy & Chiesa dei
SS Giovanni & Reparata €7/5; 10am-6pm)
Next door to the cathedral, this museum safe-
guards elaborate gold and silver decorations made for the cathedral's Volto Santo, includ-
ing a 17th-century crown and a 19th-century sceptre.
Chiesa e Battistero dei SS Giovanni e Reparata
MAP
CHURCH
GOOGLE MAP
(Piazza San Giovanni; adult/reduced €4/3, with cathedral museum & sacristy €7/5; 10am-6pm summer,
to 5pm Sat & Sun winter)
The 12th-century interior of this deconsecrated church is a haunt-
ingly atmospheric setting for summertime
opera recitals
; buy tickets in advance inside the
