On the evening of 13th September the streets of Lucca are lined with candles for the Luminaria di Santa Croce. The origins of the festival have been lost, but it has an ancient feeling as the crowds gather in the beautiful cobblestone streets.
As night falls the citizens of Lucca form a procession through the streets from San Frediano church, wearing medieval costume, carrying religious articles and singing hymns, to the Lucca Cathedral to pray to “il Volto Santo”, a wooden sculpture of Christ.
According to legend, the sculptor was Nicodemus, a deciple of Jesus. It was lost some time in the 8th century, but found and carried back to the town in 742.
The crowds gather as night falls.
Thousands of candles light the way for the procession.
The church of San Michele lit by candles.
It was a perfect cool, clear evening this year for the procession. Lucca looked even more beautiful than usual with its candle lined streets and thousands of enthusiastic people watching on.
The celebrations and ceremonies are so much a part of Italian life – thanks for sharing them with us, Deb!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on September 13, 2012
at 9:54 pm
It is one of the things I love about being here. It is great so see so many people out taking part in the evening.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 13, 2012
at 10:03 pm
I love these kinds of events! The candle photo is wonderful.
By: thirdeyemom on September 13, 2012
at 11:20 pm
I took lots of photos,but most didn’t turn out….there were heads in the way, a man in a reflective orange coat managed to appear in several and lots were just too fuzzy.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 5:02 am
oh Deb -San Michele is amazing-I love Lucca, thanks for sharing-I have read about this so many times…beautiful.
By: Melonie Carideo on September 13, 2012
at 11:54 pm
I am not usually here at this time of year, so it was great to finally make it to the celebration.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 5:03 am
You did very well with your night shots – even portraits! It looks wonderful and so does the city – I especially liked the dramatic lighting on the church of San Michele – just spectacular 🙂
By: The Wanderlust Gene on September 14, 2012
at 12:08 am
The street the procession took were all lined with candles. It looked wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 5:04 am
Beautiful night shots, Debra. I can only imagine what the festivities look like during Easter season!
By: Marcia Clarke on September 14, 2012
at 12:43 am
Easter is surprisingly low key here. This procession lasted for hours.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 5:04 am
Interesting; I remember long Easter processions while growing up in Panama. Signs of the times I guess.
By: Marcia Clarke on September 16, 2012
at 2:15 am
This procession must have lasted for hours.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 16, 2012
at 5:12 am
Superb Debra! You captured the solemn feel of the evening though I imagine it was fun as well. Nothing would beat being there though…. San Michele looks a dream.
By: janinevasta on September 14, 2012
at 1:58 am
It was fun to watch the celebration. All of Lucca was there I think.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 5:05 am
Enjoyed your new post. I can imagine all italians out on the streets in the evening to gather for such an event. Italian night life is just so wonderful they are out with the entire family, children, grandmas and grandpa’s, all of it, eating icecream, having a little wine in a little bar, talking, laughing, so full of life. You captured it all so well, thank you for sharing
By: corneliaweberphotography on September 14, 2012
at 3:27 am
Your description is perfect….that is exactly what it was like.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 5:07 am
Debra, thanks for showing us “Life” in Lucca – I just love this kind of traditional happening. We spent Easter in Florence this year and a similar thing happened there – only we had such heavy rain that not many photos came out – so dont be upset -hopefully there will be next year.
By: anyone4curryandotherthings on September 14, 2012
at 5:42 am
I sometimes think I post too many photos, so perhaps it is not a bad thing that most didn’t turn out.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 7:39 am
It is a beautiful ceremony, very well depicted through your photos. Thank you, Debra.
By: mulino dominillo on September 14, 2012
at 7:01 am
I was very glad to have been here at the right time this year.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 7:39 am
What a beautiful, atmospheric evening Debra!!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on September 14, 2012
at 7:27 am
Italians do these ceremonies very well…..lots of practice.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2012
at 7:40 am
What a lovely celebration, Debra. I so enjoyed your photos. 🙂
By: adinparadise on September 14, 2012
at 8:15 am
Thank you for commenting…I love taking the photos.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 15, 2012
at 11:37 am
Beautiful pictures of beautiful Lucca. Lucca really is a gem.
By: christopher oconnor on September 14, 2012
at 8:45 am
Magical stuff! I love Cornelia’s description – I so want that lifestyle – next lifetime perhaps.
By: Jan on September 14, 2012
at 10:15 am
It is not too late for this one.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 15, 2012
at 11:38 am
[…] Fuente Bagni di Lucca and Beyond. […]
By: luminaria « Desván Gatero on September 14, 2012
at 11:58 am
Beautiful photos … thanks for sharing the wonderful tradition. PS: A reminder about the weekend party. 🙂
By: aFrankAngle on September 14, 2012
at 12:22 pm
I love being able to be a part of these amazing traditions.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 15, 2012
at 11:36 am
What lovely images–makes me feel like I was a part of the ceremony!!
By: squishymonster on September 14, 2012
at 2:41 pm
It was a beautiful night.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 15, 2012
at 11:38 am
Your photos capture the spirit of the celebrations! Thanks Debra.
By: Madhu on September 14, 2012
at 9:25 pm
It is my pleasure…thank you for stopping by.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 15, 2012
at 11:39 am
Debra, there is a fabulous little book you can buy in Lucca at the book store, entitled “Tales Told In Lucca” by Bartolomeo Di Monaco. It has the story of the Volto Santo, and so many others, that I know you would find the book fascinating. I love to immerse myself in it – and read only one story at a time! Hope you can find it. Now, we have to figure out a way to be there in Sept as well…thanks a lot! LOL!
By: Our Kitchen Inventions on September 15, 2012
at 9:19 pm
I have that book! I will find the story…..thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 16, 2012
at 5:11 am
[…] http://bagnidilucca.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/lucca-lights-up-for-santa-croce/ […]
By: i love Luminaria in Lucca.... - i love Lucca tours | i love Lucca tours | i love Lucca tours on September 22, 2012
at 9:19 pm
[…] some unbeatable photos of the procession, read this post on Debra Kolkka’s blog Bagni di Lucca and […]
By: Tips for enjoying an authentic old tradition | Slow Travel Tours on September 23, 2012
at 8:48 pm
Dear Debra,
so envious not to be there for the Festival. Loved ALL the photos and I searched every one of them for something I would recognise – except of course, San Michelle, which is instantly recognisable.
Enjoy your time again and I look forward to more photos of your journey.
Cheers,
Raewyn
By: Raewyn van der Walt on September 14, 2013
at 12:00 pm
I was at the festival last year, 2012. It was great fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 14, 2013
at 12:15 pm
Hi again,
Yes, I noticed the date only after I’d sent my email when I forwarded it on to Karen. Next year we want to be there for the Summer festival so maybe the year after we could do the Luminaria. We are both learning Italian (or trying to) in preparation! Do you go back in October?
cheers,
Raewyn
By: Raewyn van der Walt on September 15, 2013
at 10:16 pm
I will be back in Bagni di Lucca in early October for several months.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 15, 2013
at 10:25 pm
[…] the streets of the city are lit only by candles and all residents who are able participate in the Luminaria di Santa Croce, forming a candle-carrying procession through the streets, wearing medieval costume, carrying […]
By: Get a Sense of Italy: All the Way to HeavenBecky Doughty on July 7, 2015
at 9:37 am
Amazing!! What an experience you had 🙂
By: Ishita on September 13, 2015
at 1:32 pm