Museo della Cattedrale: A Treasure Trove of Luccan History

The Museo della Cattedrale, or Cathedral Museum, in Lucca is a captivating journey through the city's religious and artistic evolution. Located in Piazza Antelminelli, adjacent to the Duomo di San Martino, the museum is housed within a complex of buildings that include a 13th-century tower house, a 16th-century church, and a main structure dating back to the 14th century. Founded in 1992, the museum safeguards treasures from the Cathedral of San Martino and surrounding churches. The museum's collection is displayed chronologically, allowing visitors to witness the changes in artistic styles over the centuries. Highlights include the 6th-century ivory diptych of Consul Areobindo, a copper tin depicting the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, and the 15th-century gold cross known as the Croce dei Pisani. An entire room is dedicated to the Holy Face (Volto Santo), a revered ancient wooden crucifix that is central to Luccan identity and celebrated annually on September 3 and 14. On these occasions, the crucifix is adorned with precious garments, including a velvet tunic, a gold crown, and a jeweled collar. Other notable items include a collection of antique priests' clothing and silverware crafted in Lucca between the 15th and 19th centuries, choir screens by Matteo Civitali, and sculptures that once graced the cathedral. The museum also displays illuminated manuscripts, jewelry, and sacred furnishings. Visitors can explore the archaeological area beneath the church of San Giovanni and the Baptistery to discover Roman-era remains, including mosaics and thermal baths.