Griffin dominates dragon in marble medallion on west façade of the Duomo di San Martino in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. The cathedral’s facade is a masterpiece of Pisan-Romanesque art and architecture due to the work of Lombard master sculptor Guido or Guidetto Bigarelli, known as Guido da Como (1220 - c. 1257).
Duomo di San Martino, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy: griffin battles a dragon in marble medallion inlaid into the west façade of the cathedral, beneath the portico. The cathedral’s facade, inspired by that of Pisa Cathedral, is a masterpiece of Pisan-Romanesque art and 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. 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.
Size: 3768px × 2522px
Location: Duomo di San Martino, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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