Just outside the eastern walls of Lucca, you’ll find one of the city’s most visited places of worship, and one that is much less known. The Sanctuary of Santa Gemma Lucca is dedicated to a young Lucchese mystic who died at 25 and was canonised in 1940.
Join us as we walk you through the history behind the sanctuary, what to look out for inside, when services are held, and how to get there from the centre of town.
Sanctuary of Santa Gemma Lucca
The Santuario di Santa Gemma is a Roman Catholic church and monastery, only a short walk from Porta Elisa. It belongs to a community of Passionist nuns, an order founded by St Paul of the Cross in 1771, who still live in the attached cloister today.
The sanctuary receives large groups of pilgrims year-round, particularly around 11 April (the saint’s feast day) and 16 May (the day the Archdiocese of Lucca celebrates her locally).
The building is considered modern in comparison to other medieval buildings within Lucca. Construction began in 1935 and wasn’t finished until 1965, mostly due to the Second World War. Its dome and bell tower were inspired by the Berlin Cathedral, which gives the Santuario di Santa Gemma Lucca a noticeably different look from the medieval churches inside the walls.
History and significance of Santa Gemma Galgani
Gemma Galgani was born on 12 March 1878 in Borgonuovo, a small frazione of Camigliano about seven kilometres from Lucca. Her family moved into the city when she was young, and she went to school with the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit under their founder, Blessed Elena Guerra.
By eight years old, she had lost her mother, and over the following years, she lost several siblings and her father, too. She spent much of her short life caring for what remained of her family.
What makes Gemma’s story unusual is what happened to her body. From the age of 21, she reportedly received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, regularly. Several physicians at the time put the wounds down to hysteria or self-harm, while others believed they were genuine. She tried repeatedly to join religious orders, including the Passionists at Corneto, but each one rejected her because of her fragile health and lack of a dowry. She died of tuberculosis on 11 April 1903, aged 25.
Pope Pius XI beatified her in 1933, and Pope Pius XII canonised her in 1940 at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. She is now the patron saint of students, pharmacists, paratroopers, and people suffering from headaches, migraines, and back pain.
What to see inside the sanctuary
Inside, the Santuario di Santa Gemma is brighter and less ornate than other Tuscan cathedrals. The 20th-century architecture lets a lot of natural light in, and the focus is firmly on a small number of high-quality artworks rather than densely decorated walls.
The main things to look for
- The tomb of Saint Gemma: Her relics rest in an urn beneath the main altar, with a bronze effigy by sculptor Francesco Nagni on top
- The altarpiece by Primo Conti: Shows Christ giving the stigmata to Gemma, supported by the Angel of the Passion. Conti was a Futurist painter, which gives the work a distinctly 20th-century feel
- Two mosaics by Primo Conti: Depicting St Paul of the Cross and St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
- Marble Passion group by Tommaso Gismondi: To the left of the altar, a sculptural composition of the Passion of Christ
- Bronze reliefs of the Sorrows of Mary: Also by Gismondi, set into the side walls
- The dome: Worth a look upwards, modelled on the Berlin Cathedral but considerably smaller in scale
If you’re around at the right time, you may also hear the cloistered nuns singing during services. Many people who have left reviews of the Sanctuary of Santa Gemma Lucca mention this as one of the most memorable parts of their visit.
Religious services and visiting hours
The sanctuary is an active place of worship, so we suggest checking the schedule before you go.
Opening hours
| Days | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 06:00 – 12:00 | 15:00 – 19:00 |
| Sundays and feast days | Open for services (see below) | Open for services (see below) |
Mass schedule
- Weekdays (feriali): 08:00 and 17:30
- Sundays and feast days (festive): 09:00, 11:00 and 17:30
- July and August: the 09:00 Sunday Mass is suspended
Visiting etiquette
- Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees covered
- Keep voices low; the nuns may be at prayer
- Switch your phone to silent before entering
- Avoid flash photography near the altar
- Don’t visit during the midday closure if you want to go inside
- If you’d like to attend Mass, arrive 10 minutes early
How to reach the sanctuary from the Lucca centre
The Sanctuary of Santa Gemma Lucca is about a kilometre east of the historic centre, just outside the city walls. From most places inside Lucca, it’s an easy walk, and the route is flat the whole way. If you’re staying in town, you really don’t need a car for this one.
- On foot: From Piazza Napoleone in the centre, head east towards Porta Elisa and continue along Via di Tiglio, roughly 15–20 minutes
- By bike: Lucca is famously flat and very bike-friendly; rentals cost around €5–€10 per hour from shops near the walls
- By bus: Several VaiBus lines pass close to Via di Tiglio; tickets cost around €1.50
- By taxi: A short ride from the centre, usually €8–€12
- By car: Limited free street parking nearby on Via di Tiglio, with paid options closer to the walls
Plan your visit to the Sanctuary of Santa Gemma Lucca
The Sanctuary of Santa Gemma Lucca isn’t on every tourist itinerary, and that’s part of what makes it worth a stop.
When organising your trip, Lucca Apartments and Villas can help you find a base that suits how you want to explore. Our apartments in central Lucca put you within easy walking distance of the Santuario di Santa Gemma.
Book your trip today and visit the understated Sanctuary of Santa Gemma.
