Background

Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam: A Romanesque Gem in Lucca

Discover Lucca's Romanesque treasure, Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam: art, history, and a unique sundial await!

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The Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam, also known as Santa Maria Bianca, is a Romanesque church in Lucca, Italy. Its name, meaning 'outside the gate,' reflects its original location outside the city's Roman walls. The church boasts a beautiful white marble facade and houses notable artworks, including paintings by Guercino.

A brief summary to Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam

  • Monday 9 am-12 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-12 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-12 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-12 pm
  • Friday 9 am-12 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-12 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during morning hours to avoid crowds and appreciate the church's tranquility.
  • Look for the sundial inside the church and learn how it indicates Lucca's midday.
  • Admire the white marble facade and Pisan-style architecture of the church.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Lucca train station, walk approximately 650 meters northeast along Via della Repubblica. Continue onto Via Vittorio Veneto, then turn right onto Piazza Santa Maria Foris Portam. The church will be on your left. The walk is generally flat and takes about 10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    From the Lucca train station, take the LAM Rossa bus line to the Della Rosa stop, which is about 60 meters from the church. From the bus stop, walk a short distance to Piazza Santa Maria Foris Portam, where the church is located. A single bus ticket costs approximately €1.50.

  • Taxi

    From within Lucca's city walls, a short taxi ride to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam will typically cost between €8-€12. Taxis are readily available at Piazza Santa Maria or Piazza Napoleone.

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Discover more about Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Foris Portam, or Church of Santa Maria Foris Portam, also known as Santa Maria Bianca, stands as a testament to Lucca's rich history and artistic heritage. The name 'Foris Portam,' meaning 'outside the gate' in Latin, indicates that the original church was built outside the Roman walls of the city. Today, the church is located on Piazza Santa Maria Foris Portam, also known as Piazza della Colonna Mozza, within the historic center of Lucca. A parchment dating back to 768 AD attests to the church's existence as early as the 8th century. The primitive church was rebuilt in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. The exterior of the church is characterized by its Pisan-style facade made of white limestone. The facade features blind arcades supported by semi-columns, three portals with decorated architraves, and two series of galleries. The bell tower was added in 1619. Inside the church, visitors can admire several works of art. Two notable paintings by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, are Saint Lucy (1642) and Assumption between Saints Francis and Alexander (1643). Other artworks include a Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Angelo Puccinelli, a Coronation of the Virgin by Girolamo Scaglia, and a Trinity with Saints Francis and Jerome by Alessandro Ardenti. The church also features a sundial, created by a hole in the eastern wall that projects a beam of light onto a line on the floor, indicating the true midday of Lucca.

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