Lucca, Church of San Michele

One map shows 31 churches within Lucca’s city wall, many are architecturally exquisite. Called one of the best examples of Lucca-Pisa architectural style, the Church of San Michele was built in the 1100s using white marble. On the facade are seven tall arches at ground level; the main door is in the middle arch; smaller doors are in the second arch from each side. The next level consists of 14 superimposed arches; the third level has 14 more; with the tops of the three on each side sloping slightly.

The fourth level consists of six arches with a clock in the middle; the top level has six more arches sloped from the middle. The Archangel Michael, with large wings and in the act of slaying a dragon, surmounts this remarkable facade, with a smaller angel standing at each side. San Michele’s campanile is at the right far end of the church, with one more level of arches than the church front. Now that’s a lot of detail, yet it looks marvelous.