Duomo di San Martino

The Cattedrale di San Martino (Cathedral of Saint Martin) earned its special "Cattedrale" name because it is the official seat of the Archbishop of Lucca. It is also a "Duomo" (the more common name for a prominent church which may or may not be the main church in a diocese). The labyrinth embedded on the right pier (as you face the church) is believed to be from the 12th or 13th century. Stick with it and you will find your way. Allegedly, the columns on the façade are all different because they held a "Best Column Contest" and then used the entries without paying the artists.

Beyond its stunning Pisan-Luccan Romanesque facade, the cathedral charmed us with its Renaissance interiors and fascinating foundation excavations. The excavations were incredibly educational, taking us on a 2,100-year journey through the various layers of the Duomo's past. The lowest layer revealed a former Roman residence, while the next showed a public Roman thermae that later became a Lombard necropolis. During 400 AD the place turned to early Christian church. It definitely was a memorable visit!

A church containing the "Holy Face" relic, a wooden crucifix supposedly carved by a person known to Jesus. The inlaid floors, as well as, the paintings are vibriant and commanding. The diverse columns on the outside of the building were the result if a contest, where the people of Lucca decided to use all of them. Then there is the mysterious labyrinth on one of the outside columns, believed to be carved before the one at Chartres.

The Duomo di San Martino is a stunning cathedral combining Romanesque architecture, ornate façades, and a peaceful interior. Famous for the Volto Santo and beautiful artworks, it offers a sense of quiet grandeur. The mix of history, marble details, and spiritual ambiance makes it one of Lucca’s essential landmarks and a rewarding visit for architecture lovers.

Lovely. Definitely worth the detour. Next time I definitely need to lock in a proper guide. There's so much history there. Definitely a 5 stars once the refurbishments are completed and the Volto Santo is back. So sad we missed it, but an opportunity to come back!

We visited late at night so we couldn't go in. However, the exterior is impressive enough to make you go closer and explore all the scenes and symbols on the walls. There's even a labyrinth etched on one of the side walls (right underneath the tower) which is said to have only one way to the centre of it and only those who keep their faith in God are able to find it.

We obtained the ticket for the bell tower the cathedral, museum and the other church with underground archaeological remains, very good value. All three sites were amazing, especially the bell tower,a lot of steps but worth it.

A cathedral with a truly impressive history - its foundation dates back nearly a thousand years! Inside, you’ll find stunning works of sculpture, painting, and stained glass by renowned Tuscan masters. For example, Giorgio Vasari called the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto one of the greatest masterpieces of 15th-century sculpture. The most breathtaking part of the cathedral is its western façade, built in the Roman-Pisan style and completely covered in sculptures and mosaics - you could spend hours admiring the details. At the entrance, you’ll also find allegorical images of the months - it's fun to look for your birth month or zodiac sign. The cathedral labyrinth - the smallest known to exist in any church - is carved into the stone of one of the entrance pillars. The Latin inscription states:“the same labyrinth built by Daedalus the Cretan, from which no one who enters can escape, except Theseus, thanks to the thread of Ariadne.“

A beautiful church that one must not miss if one is touring Lucca. Lot of painting from the 1400 and 1500. The interior architecture is heavenly. The cost is $3 for adult with no strict dress code. $0.50 to light an electric candle.