DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

This post is about the Lucca Cathedral, the Cattedrale di San Martino. We really enjoyed this beautiful cathedral and re-visited it in 2023.

Lucca Cathedral (Italian: Duomo di Lucca, Cattedrale di San Martino) is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours in Lucca, Italy. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Lucca. Construction was begun in 1063 by Bishop Anselm (later Pope Alexander II). Of the original structure, the great apse with its tall columnar arcades and the fine campanile remain. The nave and transepts of the cathedral were rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 14th century, while the west front was begun in 1204 by Guido Bigarelli of Como, and consists of a vast portico of three magnificent arches, and above them three ranges of open galleries adorned with sculptures.

In the nave a small octagonal temple or chapel shrine contains the most precious relic in Lucca, the Holy Face of Lucca (Italian: Volto Santo di Lucca) or Sacred Countenance (last photo). This cedar-wood crucifix and image of Christ, according to the legend, was carved by his contemporary Nicodemus, and miraculously conveyed to Lucca in 782. Christ is clothed in the colobium, a long sleeveless garment. The chapel was built in 1484 by Matteo Civitali, the most famous Luccan sculptor of the early Renaissance. The tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia of Siena, the earliest of his extant works was commissioned by her husband, the lord of Lucca, Paolo Guinigi, in 1406.
Additionally the cathedral contains Domenico Ghirlandaio's Madonna and Child with Saints Peter, Clement, Paul and Sebastian; Federico Zuccari's Adoration of the Magi, Jacopo Tintoretto's Last Supper, and finally Fra Bartolomeo's Madonna and Child (1509).

There is a legend to explain why all the columns of the façade are different. According to the tale, when they were going to decorate it, the inhabitants of Lucca announced a contest for the best column. Every artist made a column, but then the inhabitants of Lucca decided to take them all, without paying the artists and used all the columns.

My previous post can be found at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-802916-1.html, while the first post of this series (that includes a map of all of the places where we stopped) can be found at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-801137-1.html

My next post will be more of Lucca.

Lucca Cathedral

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The main entry doors

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The ceilings are often overlooked by tourists, but many are not to be missed

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Looking toward the altar

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Tintoretto's Last Supper

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The tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia of Siena

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

Really nice.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

👍👍👍

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Fantastic set Dennis!

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thank you NMGal, I appreciate it.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thanks for the 3 thumbs up Tom.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thank you a bunch Mark, I appreciate it.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Fine images Dennis.

Don

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thanks for the double thumbs up John.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Thanks Don, I appreciate it.

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Very nice. I still haven't gotten mine processed from when we were there last year, but when I do, no matter how well I process them, they won't look as stunning as yours. The ceiling is beautiful, that's for sure. Thanks for taking us on your wonderful tour.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Don't you just love those massive doors?

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great art and architecture series, Dennis.