The interior of the church of Santa Maria Foris Portam in Lucca.
The interior of the beautiful 12th-century church in Lucca. The Church of Santa Maria Forisportam, also known as Santa Maria Bianca, is a Romanesque church located in Piazza Santa Maria Forisportam in Lucca.
The church has three naves with a transept and apse, maintaining the medieval plan. The lower orders of the façade and the apse are divided into blind loggias supported by semi-columns, while on the sides and transepts we find pilaster strips. A small architraved loggia completes the apse.
Inside the church there are several works of art, including two canvases by Guercino: Santa Lucia (1642) and Assunta between Saints Francis and Alexander (1643). Another noteworthy work is The Trinity with Saints Francis and Jerome by Alessandro Ardenti.
An interesting curiosity is the presence of a “camera obscura” sundial in the church. The hour line is drawn on the floor in front of the high altar, and a hole in the eastern wall allows light to pass through, indicating Lucca's midday (7 minutes and 55 seconds after Rome solar time).
The church was built in the 12th century and has undergone changes over the centuries, especially in the 16th century, when new works were placed. It was originally located outside the Roman walls of the city, hence the name "Forisportam" (outside the gate).
The church is also known as Santa Maria Bianca for its white stone facade of Santa Maria del Giudice. The structure is simple and perfect, with three portals surmounted by architraves and lunettes decorated in classical style.
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Photo taken with Canon EOS M100 and lens Canon EF-S 10-18.
To see all the photos I took, in a couple of visits, in Lucca click here:
The name of the Church of Santa Maria Forisportam is linked to the fact that, compared to the oldest city walls, that of the Roman era, this church was located outside the city, hence foris portam (outside the gate).
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The interior of the church of Santa Maria Foris Portam in Lucca – L’intérieur de l’église de Santa Maria Foris Portam à Lucca – Das Innere der Kirche Santa Maria Foris Portam in Lucca – Nội thất của nhà thờ Santa Maria Foris Portam ở Lucca
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References:
– https://www.turismo.lucca.it/chiesa-santa-maria-forisportam-Lucca
