The labyrinth of Lucca Cathedral: a sacred symbol linked to Greek myth

Those who visit the Cathedral of Lucca, or the Cathedral of San Martino, the most important building of worship in the city, an extraordinary Romanesque-Gothic monument filled with fundamental works of art (the moving funeral monument of Ilaria del Carretto, a masterpiece by Jacopo della Quercia, stands out above all others), cannot help but notice the presence of a labyrinth engraved on the pillar of the third arch of the façade, the right one.

It is a symbol that has spanned centuries of history and continues to intrigue visitors, offering a unique testimony to medieval spiritual and artistic traditions. It is not just a decorative or architectural element, but a symbol rich in meanings that are intertwined with the religious and cultural history of Lucca. Actually, we do not know much about this labyrinth, but in order to fully understand the value of the engraving, it is necessary to explore its location, its meaning, as well as its context: moreover, it is not unusual to find depictions of labyrinths in the context of medieval churches, and the maze engraved on the facade of Lucca Cathedral is no exception.

The structure and location of the labyrinth

When one arrives near the cathedral’s portal, it is difficult not to notice the labyrinth, given its central location, easily noticed by worshippers and visitors approaching the church (it is carved, as mentioned, on a pillar column located under the archway that overlooks one of the cathedral’s side doors), and also given its dimensions that are anything but small (the labyrinth is more than a meter high and wide). Its geometric shape unfolds over a series of tight curves that intertwine to form a labyrinthine path, a layout that seems to invite reflection on man’s spiritual journey. Although the labyrinth is now partially worn by the passage of time, its legibility remains full and, more importantly, its charm remains intact: its figure continues to be studied by art historians for its meanings and historical implications.

The choice of the labyrinth’s location is symbolic: positioned next to one of the cathedral’s main doors, it seems to act as a portal to a profound reflection on the human soul’s journey toward redemption: this is the meaning to be attributed to the labyrinths we find depicted in medieval churches. The most famous, similar to the one in Lucca Cathedral, is probably the one found on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France, while closer to Lucca is the labyrinth in Pontremoli, in the church of San Pietro. This symbol therefore invites the faithful and pilgrims (do not forget that Lucca was located along the pilgrimage routes that led from northern Europe to Rome, along those routes to which today we refer with the expressions “via Francigena”) to reflect before embarking on the spiritual journey that awaits them inside the church. And it is precisely this relationship between the architectural structure and the symbolism of the labyrinth that is one of the aspects that help give the Cathedral of Lucca its appeal.

The inscription and the link to Greek mythology

The labyrinth in Lucca Cathedral is accompanied by aLatin inscription that directly quotes the famous Greek myth of Daedalus and Theseus. The text reads, “Hic quem / Creticus / edit Deda/lus est / Laberint/hus deq/o nullu/s vader/e quivit / qui fuit / intus / ni These/us grat/is Adrian/e stami/ne iutus.” This is thus a reference to the labyrinth built by Daedalus in Crete, from which no one was able to get out except Theseus, thanks to the help of Ariadne, who provided him with a thread to orient himself and find the exit (the phrase, translated, sounds just like this: “This is the labyrinth built by Daedalus the Cretan, from which no one who entered it was able to escape except Theseus aided by the thread of Ariadne.”) This myth is one of the best known in Greek mythology and has inspired not only literary works but also various artistic and religious representations throughout the centuries.

The inclusion of this legend in the context of a Christian building such as the Cathedral of Lucca is not accidental. The labyrinth of Lucca thus takes on a symbolic function, representing man’s life as a winding, intricate and often difficult path to walk, but one that can be overcome through faith and spiritual guidance. Theseus, the protagonist who manages to escape from the labyrinth, becomes the metaphor for the believer who, aided by faith (represented by Ariadne’s thread), manages to overcome the difficulties of earthly life to achieve salvation. The center of the labyrinth today is much worn, but it has been speculated that in ancient times it may have even contained the figures of Theseus and the minotaur, a circumstance that would further demonstrate the derivation of the Lucchese labyrinth from those of Roman times, such as the labyrinth of Cremona at the center of which is depicted the very episode of the killing of the minotaur by Theseus.

The symbolism of the labyrinth in Lucca

The labyrinth as a religious symbol, as mentioned, is not exclusive to the Cathedral of Lucca, but is found in numerous other religious buildings throughout Europe, particularly in medieval cathedrals. Its presence in these churches was often linked to a metaphor for the spiritual journey of the faithful. The labyrinth not only represented the intricate path of life, but also the journey of purification that each soul had to face in order to reach salvation. In fact, pilgrims were encouraged to walk through the labyrinth as if they were on their way to God, facing the difficulties and obstacles that life offers, but with the hope of eventually finding eternal peace.

In the case of the Cathedral of Lucca, the labyrinth (which is monocursal, meaning there is only one obligatory route to reach the center) can be interpreted as a preparation for the pilgrims who came there via the Via Francigena. By walking along the labyrinth, the pilgrims could have symbolically made their inner journey, reflecting on their spirituality and the difficulties they would encounter along the physical and spiritual path. The labyrinth, with its tight curves and dark corners, symbolizes the dark and winding path of the human soul, which, however, finds its way out through faith, represented by Ariadne’s thread guiding Theseus. This symbol of redemption and hope was particularly relevant at a time when the Christian faith was seen as the only way to overcome the difficulties of the earthly world.

The shape of the labyrinth must then be taken into consideration: a circle inscribed in a square, divided into four quadrants, and each quadrant contains eleven circumvolutions of the labyrinth. The number eleven is placed between ten (the Commandments) and twelve (the apostles), and because of its placement in the middle between two positive numbers it could be read as an allusion to sin (there are other labyrinths in medieval art that have eleven circumvolutions): that sin of which the soul must rid itself in order to get to the center of the labyrinth, namely to God. This is why the labyrinth is monocursal: because to get to God there is only one way.

An eternal symbol

Today, the labyrinth of Lucca Cathedral may have lost its original mystical significance, but it continues to arouse great interest because of its profound symbolic meaning. Many scholars have tried to decipher the exact reasons for its location, but the mystery surrounding this element of the cathedral remains part of its appeal.

In any case, the labyrinth of Lucca Cathedral remains a powerful symbol of spirituality and faith. Today, many visitors view it with a curiosity that transcends its mere decorative function, reflecting on its significance as part of a spiritual journey that invites each individual to confront life’s difficulties and to seek salvation through faith. Its presence in the cathedral of Lucca continues to serve as a warning and a guide, much like Ariadne’s thread that, in the myth, guides Theseus through the difficulties of the labyrinth.

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