San Michele in Foro

A few steps away from the San Martino Cathedral is Lucca’s other cathedral – San Michele in Foro.

Sometimes mistaken for Lucca’s Duomo, is located in the old Roman forum, thus in Foro. Its Pisan facade has numerous sculptures and inlays, blind arcades, a giant statue of Michael the Archangel, and the most beautiful and tallest campanile in Lucca.

Inside the cathedral is a statue of Madonna and Child by Luca della Robbia, a Crucifixion (from the 13th century), and a painting of Filippino Lippi.

San Giovanni e Santa Reparata

Across Piazza San Martino is San Giovanni e Santa Reparata, Lucca’s original cathedral.

The church sits atop five layers of history dating back to the Roman times. Past its old Renaissance style facade and inside, you will see a basilica dating back to the 5th-century and a baptistery with a Roman font built for total immersion baptism. It also has beautifully executed ceiling and a handcrafted organ case, still ornate even without her pipes.

A Place to Rest and Dine

After visiting the three churches, it is time to get a meal and some rest.

Just a few footsteps away from San Michele in Foro is Lucca’s twin squares – Piazza del Giglio and Piazza Napoleone. A nice spot to just rest your feet, grab some food and watch Lucchesis go on their daily passeggiata in the afternoon.

West of the piazzas is Via Vittorio Veneto and Palazzo Ducale. While here, drop by the mannerist courtyard designed by Ammannati.

San Frediano Church

Further north at Via Filungo is the Romanesque church of San Frediano. Completed in the 1100s, it has a gleaming facade with a mosaic of Christ and the Apostles. The lavish interior executed in while marble is home to Tuscany’s most remarkable baptismal font. The 12th century baptismal font is adorned with a lustrale decorated with carved reliefs and a lunette by Andrea della Robbia – the glazed terracotta Anunciation.

San Frediano Church has several chapels one of which has Aspertini frescoes. The two tomb slabs on the tomb of St. Zita is by Jacopo della Quercia. For devotees, every 26th of April, St. Zita’s mummy is taken out and venerated.