Lucca - San Salvatore

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805.

"San Salvatore" belonged to a convent, that was founded within the 8th century. Sponsored by the Carolingians (Louis the Pious), the nunnery was the richest in Lucca during medieval times.

The convent existed upto 1808, when under the reign of Napoleon´s eldest sister Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and Grand Duchess of Tuscany, all convents in Lucca got secularized. For a while it served as the local hospital.

The church, seen here, was built within the 12th century, but got renovated in remodeled a couple of times, especially during the 19th century. Some carvings of the old structure survived the centuries.

A closer look onto the carving and the "signature".

Next to the nude saint "S NICH - OLAU"
Below, left side "P b R P " (??)

and on the vessel a very large (and proud) aignature

"BIDUINO ME FECIT HOC -OP(us)"