Santa Maria Forisportam, Lucca, Romanesque church in Lucca, Italy
Santa Maria Forisportam is a Romanesque church in Lucca with a white stone facade decorated in classical style. The interior features three naves with cross vaults that replaced the original wooden structures.
The church dates from the 8th century and took its name Forisportam because it stood outside the Roman gates before medieval walls were built. It represents early church architecture in the region.
The church houses two notable paintings by Guercino from the 1600s depicting Saint Lucy and the Assumption of the Virgin with Saints Francis and Alexander. These works shape the interior and reflect the artistic heritage of the space.
The church contains a camera obscura sundial marked by an oblique line on the floor and a hole in the wall that shows local noon time. This device is worth observing during your visit as it demonstrates ancient timekeeping methods.
The baptismal font is fashioned from a 5th-century Roman sarcophagus that once served a very different purpose. This blend of ancient and religious function shows how communities repurposed old objects for spiritual practices.
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