A close up of the front facade (west), San Michele in Foro, Roman Catholic basilica church, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, Europe
San Michele in Foro is a Roman Catholic basilica church in Lucca, Tuscany, central Italy, built over the ancient Roman forum and have one of the most interesting facades in Italy. It is one of the finest examples of the Pisan Romanesque style anywhere. The church is mentioned for the first time in 795 in the forum. It was rebuilt after 1070 by will of Pope Alexander II. Notable is the facade, from the 13th century, with a large series of sculptures and inlays, numerous of which remade in the 19th century. Its four colonnaded levels of gleaming white marble are inlaid with a menagerie of real and mythical animals. The tall, narrow facade consists of a comparatively plain lower section surmounted by four stacked tiers of blind arcading, two of them occupying a freestanding loggia. The lower part of the facade is faced with white and light grey marble blocks, enhanced with tall blind arcades with striped arches and Corinthian capitals. A three-dimensional diamond shape adds depth under each arch. The central portal is topped with a classical architrave, carved with St. Michael slaying the dragon flanked by a variety of mythical creatures. Above is a small rose window flanked by lions. San Michele in Foro is dedicated to Archangel Michael.
Size: 4960px × 3307px
Location: Piazza San Michele, 55100 Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, Europe
Photo credit: © pictureproject / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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