Labyrinth and Latin inscription carved on pillar at entrance to the Duomo di San Martino in Lucca, Tuscany.
Duomo di San Martino, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy: mysterious labyrinth, possibly representing the tortuous path to salvation, carved on one of the pillars of the cathedral’s portico; it is believed to date from the 1100s or 1200s. The Latin inscription at the side of the labyrinth, which is reminiscent of a labyrinth on the floor of Chartres Cathedral, translates as “this is the labyrinth built by Daedalus of Crete; all who entered therein were lost, save Theseus, thanks to Ariadne’s thread.” Under the cathedral’s portico were the desks of money changers who did business with pilgrims travelling the Via Francigena, the ancient road to Rome that passes through Lucca: for this reason there is a monumental inscription reminding the money changers not to defraud their customers. A cathedral in Lucca was, according to tradition, built by the will of San Frediano, Bishop of Lucca, who died in 588. The present cathedral was built between 1060 and 1070 and then consecrated in 1070 by Anselmo da Baggio, Pope Alexander II, in the presence of Countess Matilde of Canossa. Work on the cathedral continued until 1637 when the Sanctuary Chapel was built. The cathedral’s facade, inspired by that of Pisa Cathedral, is a masterpiece of Pisan-Romanesque architecture due to the work of Lombard master sculptor Guido or Guidetto Bigarelli, known as Guido da Como (1220 - c. 1257). The marble portico has three arches and bas-reliefs depicting the martyrdom of San Regolo, the cycle of the months and scenes from the life of of San Martino.
Size: 2533px × 3800px
Location: Duomo di San Martino, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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