Celebrate Luminaria di Santa Croce Day in Lucca
Italy is a country full of events for all kinds of tastes. Every year, thousands of visitors come to their cities in order to participate in their holidays. Today, 13th September, Luminaria di Santa Croce Festival in Lucca is celebrated. A magical and bright holiday that you can discover by the hand of Ice Tech.
If you’re one of those who like religious holidays… We’ll tell you about it!
Luminaria di Santa Croce in Lucca.
Lucca is the Medieval city of Tuscany par excellence. It is one of the few Italian cities that maintains Medieval walls surrounding the city. It is perhaps less known than other cities of Italy, but it certainly a loved one by its visitors.
Every 13th September, the city of Lucca is filled with light to celebrate the Luminaria di Santa Croce, the most important event of the town. It is part of a group of celebrations that are celebrated in the month of September and that are included within Settembre Lucchense.
Luminaria di Santa Croce is a procession that runs through the streets of Lucca. The Santa Croce is a crucifix made of wood, brought by a Monk from the Holy Land and that served as a method for tormenting the body of Jesus Christ during the crucifixion; which is carried from the Church of San Frediano to the Cathedral of San Martino, where it is preserved for the rest of the year.
All the streets remain illuminated with torches and candles, while the Santa Cruz is carried in procession.
To end the evening, all the attendants gather to witness a big explosion of fireworks.
The following day, 14th September, the Santa Croce Festivity is celebrated, with a mass in the Duomo of Lucca, where the Holy Face is preserved, which is said to have been carved by Nicodemus on a cedar from Lebanon and who arrived in the city of Lucca in the year 782.
In addition, on the occasion of the celebration of the Luminaria di Santa Croce, different markets and fairs, such as the market of agricultural products in Piazza San Michele or the cattle fair of Monte San Quirico are organized, among others.
Luminaria di Santa Croce, is the most important one, but not the only Festival in Lucca. There are other events in the Settembre Lucchense like: Luna Park, Fiera di Borgo Giannotti, Fiera del Settembre Lucchense, old markets or cultural and sporting events.
Today, just like yesterday, Lucca is the city that best combines religious and civil traditions. If you like the idea, go for it and… travel with Ice Tech! 🙂