Piazza dell'Anfiteatro in Lucca, Italy

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Lucca

Lovely Lucca endears itself to everyone who visits. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades make it a perfect destination to explore by foot – as a day trip from Florence or in its own right. At the day's end, historic cafes and restaurants tempt visitors to relax over a glass or two of Lucchesi wine and a slow progression of rustic dishes prepared with fresh produce from nearby Garfagnana.

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LUCCA, ITALY - JUNE 19:  The true Volto Santo di Lucca ('Holy Face of Lucca') and oldest statue of the West in the Cathedral of Lucca on June 19, 2020 in Lucca, Italy. The crucifix of the Holy Face is the first and the original and not a copy as previously believed. Diagnostic investigations using carbon 14 revealed that the three-meter sculpture is the 8th century original that a legend claimed to have arrived in Lucca from the Holy Land in 782 AD and not a 12th century copy. According to legend, the statue was carved by Nicodemus and the face carved by divine hand. This extraordinary novelty makes it the oldest wooden statue in the entire West. Over the centuries the statue had always been venerated and loved by pilgrims of all Italy and the world. The diagnostic tests were carried out on the occasion of the celebrations for the 950 years since the founding of the Lucca Cathedral.  (Photo by Laura Lezza/Getty Images)

History

This famous Italian relic has been confirmed as Europe's oldest wooden sculpture

Jun 24, 2020 • 2 min read

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