⛪ A church that date backs 1100s, it is very nice. San Michele in Foro is a Roman Catholic basilica church in Lucca, Tuscany, central Italy, built over the ancient Roman forum. Until 1370 it was the seat of the Consiglio Maggiore (Major Council), the commune's most important assembly. It is dedicated to Archangel Michael. The church is mentioned for the first time in 795 as ad foro (in the forum). It was rebuilt after 1070 by will of Pope Alexander II.
Notable is the façade, from the 13th century, with a large series of sculptures and inlays, numerous of which remade in the 19th century. The lower part has a series of blind arcades, the central of which includes the main portal. The upper part, built using plenty of iron materials to counter wind, has four orders of small loggias. On the summit, flanked by two other angels, is the 4 m-tall statue of St. Michael the Archangel. According to a legend, an angel's finger would have a huge diamond. On the lower right corner of the façade is a statue (1480) of the Madonna salutis portus, sculpted by Matteo Civitali to celebrate the end of the 1476 plague.
The church interior has a nave and two aisles with transept and semicircular apse; the nave is supported by arcades on monolithic columns. From the southern transept rises the bell tower, built in the 12th-14th centuries, with a series of single, double and triple mullioned windows. The last floor was demolished during the rule of Giovanni dell'Agnello (1364-1368), Doge of Pisa.
⛪1100'lerden kalma çok...
Read moreThe Chiesa di San Michele in Foro is a stunning Roman Catholic basilica. Its origins date back to the 8th century when a small church was first established on the site. However, the structure you see today began taking shape around 1070, under the direction of Pope Alexander II.
The façade, added in the 13th century, is a masterpiece of Pisan-Romanesque architecture, adorned with four tiers of small loggias, intricate carvings, and a striking 4-meter-tall marble statue of St. Michael slaying a dragon at the top, flanked by two angels. A local legend claims that under certain lighting, a green sparkle—possibly an emerald—can be seen in the statue, though it’s never been found.
It houses notable artworks, including a terracotta Madonna with Child by Luca della Robbia and a panel of Four Saints by Filippino Lippi.
Beneath the main altar lies the preserved body of San Davino Armeno, a pilgrim who died in Lucca in 1050 while traveling the Via Francigena; his remains are one of Italy’s oldest...
Read moreSan Michele in Lucca is a stunning architectural gem. The church's facade, with its intricate marble detailing and elegant arches, is a true testament to Italian Renaissance architecture. The interior is equally impressive, featuring a harmonious blend of Gothic and Romanesque elements. The richly adorned altar and beautiful frescoes add to the grandeur of this historical site. San Michele in Lucca is a must-visit for anyone with an appreciation for exquisite architectural design.Indeed, San Michele serves as the perfect backdrop, almost like a meticulous ly crafted stage set for the display of secular art. Its majestic architecture and the surrounding Piazza San Michele together create a picturesque scene where the profane and the sacred coexist in perfect harmony, making it a visual and cultural delight for...
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