One tends to have an image of Italian cathedrals in mind which is cultivated from scenes in movies, television shows and editorials. It presents a large piazza full of well-dressed youths, children dashing back and forth and traditional-looking elderly folks, all congregating in front of a towering church.
However, Lucca's Cathedral is actually located in a secluded location of the old city centre, tucked away from the main roads and well-trafficked areas.
San Martino Cathedral, located in a piazza of the same name, may be a little off the beaten track and away from the main tourist areas but once you have found a villa with pool in Lucca and are planning a visit to the town, it is a highlight that you won't want to miss.
However, Lucca's Cathedral is actually located in a secluded location of the old city centre, tucked away from the main roads and well-trafficked areas.
San Martino Cathedral, located in a piazza of the same name, may be a little off the beaten track and away from the main tourist areas but once you have found a villa with pool in Lucca and are planning a visit to the town, it is a highlight that you won't want to miss.
A typical example of Gothic architecture in the local Lucchese style, it is a stunning building both inside and out which speaks to the distinct artistic and cultural heritage of this extraordinary Tuscan city. Bearing this in mind, one might wonder how it manages to slip under the radar of so many and how it ended up being built where it did.
This was no arbitrary decision, however, and there is, of course, a reason for this unorthodox location. The Cathedral was built during the sixth century, at that period the most central and important area was already too congested. As San Martino was a square onto which other religious buildings already looked, it became the home to the city's most important religious structure.
This was no arbitrary decision, however, and there is, of course, a reason for this unorthodox location. The Cathedral was built during the sixth century, at that period the most central and important area was already too congested. As San Martino was a square onto which other religious buildings already looked, it became the home to the city's most important religious structure.
The Cathedral is a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles and, like many an Italian church, has been altered and added to repeatedly over the centuries. It has a pretty polychrome marble facade that reminds one of Pisa's Cathedral but with the additions of bas-reliefs and representations dedicated to St. Martin, the patron saint of both the Cathedral and town. There is also a portico with three arches where it’s said that pilgrims traveling along the Via Francigena went to trade with money changers, Lucca being an important pilgrim destination and a point of connection along the route. The building is home to the famous Holy Face of Lucca, a wooden, robed Christ on a crucifix which is said to have been carved by Nicodemus, a disciple of Christ, himself. It, therefore, is said to present His likeness exactly and to remain undamaged despite endless adversities undergone on its way to Lucca in the eighth century. Its is now the symbol of the city. San Martino is also home to the work of several important Italian artists such asTintoretto and Fra Bartolomeo.
With such exceptional names involved and sights to be seen, this really is one of the most fascinating cathedrals in Tuscany.
With such exceptional names involved and sights to be seen, this really is one of the most fascinating cathedrals in Tuscany.
Photo credit
Picture 1: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Guerinf / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Sailko / CC BY 2.5
Picture 1: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Guerinf / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Sailko / CC BY 2.5
