San Frediano Church, Lucca

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Although the Basilica of San Frediano isn't the biggest church in Lucca, I thought it was the most interesting one to visit. San Frediano was built between 1112 and 1117, and its amazing Byzantine-style golden mosaic, called "The Ascension of Christ the Saviour", was created by Berlinghieri and added to the facade about a century later. Another one of the basilica's treasures is the baptismal font that stands at the back of the church, depicting the story of Moses in a series of finely carved pannels. Another interesting fact is that the columns inside the nave were actually taken from the nearby Roman amphitheatre which, at the time they started building San Frediano, had long been abandoned. A ceremony was about to begin when we visited the church and although we were asked at that point not to take pictures, we were invited to stay and have a look. It's always kind of neat to hear mass celebrated in a different language!

The Basilica of San Frediano is open every day and admission is free.

We had hoped to get a map at the information center but it was closed, so we just walked town, and ducked in and out of churchs. Possible churches to see include

Duomo di San Martino which contains the Volto Santo which is believed to be the face of Christ, carved by Nicodemus who was present at the crucifixion.

There is also San Michele in Foro found in Piazza San Michele. They spent all the money on it, and didn't have enough left to built the church to match the facade. The archangel crowning the church features retractable wings to survive high winds. Open daily 7:40-noon and 3-6.

And the Basilica di San Frediano which has a big gold mosaic on the front.

We should have walked the walls but did not have time.

St Frediano church lies in a very lovely square, where you can rest after the long stroll agong Fillolungo street. The interior of the chuch is really charming, not too dark. In my opinion. the highlight is the "fonte battesimale" (see the pic)

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Named after the 5th century monk Frediano (Fridianus), who became the Bishop. The first church was in the 8th century and this was re-built in 1112-1147. The Capella on both sides of the entrance is of Santa Croce. The very colorful 13th century mosaic tiles is of Christ and two angels with the twelve Apostles below, commemorating the ascension. The inside is richly decorated with frescoes and more chapels added for the nobles to get saved.

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The Basilica of San Frediano is a Romanesque church, situated on the Piazza San Frediano. This church is distinguished by its golden mosaic high on the facade of Christ in Majesty. The church as seen today was built between 1112 and 1147, with alterations along the way. Inside, it is truly beautiful.

There is a huge 12th century baptismal font, the Fonte Lustrale, that lies immediately at the entrance and is decorated with biblical scenes attributed to three different craftsmen. There are numerous chapels inside, including one dedicated to St. Zita, Lucca's patron saint.

There are many other fine artistic details that you really have to see with your own eyes.

Admission is free, there are coin operated light boxes by many of the artworks, and picture taking was allowed with discretion.

San Frediano's striking facade features a colourful 13th century mosaic called "The Ascension". Inside, pride of place goes to a splendid Romanesque font on the right carved with scenes from the life of Christ.

This church, one of the most visited in Lucca, is located in San Frediano Square just beside Via Fillungo nearabout Piazza dell'Anfiteatro.
On its facade threre is a marvellous huge golden mosaic on its facade representing Christ in Majesty. In the interior the main masterpiece it's a precious example of baptesimal font with biblical episodes sculpted on; furthermore paintings and a golden organ could hit the visitor.
Another particularity of this church is the shrine of Santa Zita (a local saint) in which several relics are conserved; among all the whole mummified body of the saint herself.

This Romanesque church is distinguished by its golden mosaic high on the facade. It was consecrated by the pope in the year 1147. The huge twelfth century baptismal font, the Fonte Lustrale, lies immediately at the entrance and is decorated with biblical scenes attributed to three different craftsmen. The church also houses a shrine to Santa Zita, Lucca's saint, whose mummified body is brought out once a year.