Lucca Cathedral Church

Address: Lucca Cathedral (Duomo di San Martino), Piazza San Martino, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy

Website: https://www.cattedraledilucca.it/

Hours: Daily 8:00am-6:00pm (tower and museum hours may vary)

Admission: Free entry to cathedral; some guided tours may have charges

Lucca Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Martino) is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Lucca in Tuscany, with origins in the 11th century and serving as the seat of the city’s bishop. The building combines Romanesque and later stylistic elements in its façade and interior.

The façade shows characteristic Tuscan stonework and the interior has a three-nave plan with notable artworks and funerary monuments. Among its best-known highlights are the medieval crucifix called the Volto Santo and a celebrated early-15th-century funerary monument by Jacopo della Quercia.

The present cathedral originated in the 11th century and was modified over subsequent centuries, incorporating Gothic and Renaissance additions while remaining the religious centre of Lucca. Its artistic holdings reflect commissions made across the medieval and Renaissance periods.

The cathedral sits on Piazza San Martino in Lucca’s historic centre, within the walled city and a short walk from the city walls and other major historic streets.

• Volto Santo: The cathedral’s principal relic is the medieval wooden crucifix known as the Volto Santo, displayed inside and central to local religious tradition.
• Best time to visit: Visiting the cathedral is easiest early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak tourist groups and to view interior works with quieter conditions.

What to See#

• Volto Santo: Housed inside the cathedral, this medieval wooden crucifix is a focal devotional object that draws many visitors and pilgrims.
• Ilaria del Carretto tomb: An early 15th-century funerary monument carved by Jacopo della Quercia located in the cathedral, noted for its sculptural quality and historical significance.

Lucca is a short train ride from Pisa (about 30 minutes) and Florence (around 1.5 hours by regional trains); the cathedral is in the historic centre within easy walking distance from Lucca train station.

• Arrive early to see the Risorgimento-era cloister and avoid the mid-day crowds.
• Search out the carved pulpits and medieval mosaic floors scattered through the cathedral - signage is limited but the details reward patience.
• If attending mass or a concert, check the schedule in advance; services remain a lively part of cathedral life.