Lucca’s Best Kept Secrets No. 7 – Celebrate Santa Croce and Il Volto Santo
by Renee Lenzarini
Although this is an annual event if you find yourself around or near Lucca on September 13th then it is a must see. The Luminaria of Santa Croce is the main festival of Lucca, when the Volto Santo (or holy crucifix) is paraded down the old streets from the Basilica di San Frediano to the Cattedrale di San Martino. I first went to this festival with my family when were travelling home from a trip up to Genoa. We stopped to see what was going on and discovered every door and window illuminated by candlelight. On this day the shops close early and if you plan to have dinner that night, a word of warning. You will need to book well in advance.
Photography credit: Renee Lenzarini
