After spending the last few episodes going through the least known pages of the history of our region, we go back to one of the original missions of this podcast: tell the tales and legends that made this land so special and unique. Rather than a weird collection of random stories, we will bring you to the wonderful town of Lucca, a Medieval gem that is quite misunderstood. How is it so? Most people, Tuscans included, are so astounded by its charm to miss the fact that the beautiful small streets and the magnificent palaces hide a pretty dark side. Lucca, despite being known as a very religious town, is a place where angels and demons walk hand in hand, constantly fighting for the souls of its inhabitants. Come with us on a journey on the many legends that surround some of the most popular landmarks of the town, from the Renaissance walls, the only ones that survive intact to this day, to the quirky cathedral, with its weird, asymmetrical facade. We will delve into the myths that surround the Volto Santo, the most ancient wooden sculpture survived in Europe, centre of a devotion that brought thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe to the Tuscan town on their way to Rome. We'll also talk about the miracles linked to the crucifix that, according to tradition, represents the real face of Jesus Christ and why in front of it there is an executioner's axe. We'll try to explain the mystery behind the small labyrinth on one of the pillars of the church and its mystical link with the notorious monastic fighting order of the Templar Knights. Our journey will then lead us to the nearby church of San Frediano, whose south door became known as the "door of the angel" after a very saintly housemaid act of charity went very wrong. Follow us as we go through the legend of the "Devil's Stone", the ledge of a window on the facade of a 15th century palace that no human hand is apparently able to fix. Lucca, as many other things in Tuscany, has so much more to offer than the postcard image everyone is so in love with. You just need to look a bit deeper to realise that under the skin there is so much more. Let us know what you think of this kind of episode or if you'd rather have us talk more about history, art, culture, food or any other aspect of Tuscany. If you have a question, don't hesitate: send us a message on social media or an email at podcast@larno.it - all feedback is greatly appreciated. After all, we're here to serve you:
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Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.bartolomeodimonaco.it/online/leggende-le-mura-di-lucca/
https://www.mamaisonservices.com/it/vivere-la-toscana/leggende-e-curiosita-su-lucca/
https://www.lanazione.it/lucca/cosa%20fare/10-leggende-1.2678716
http://www.enciclopediadelledonne.it/biografie/santa-zita/
https://www.paranormalitalianblog.it/la-leggenda-della-porta-dell-angelo-a-lucca/
https://lucca.online/1539-il-mistero-del-labirinto-di-lucca-tra-fascino-e-leggenda/
https://www.loschermo.it/lenigma-del-labirinto-della-cattedrale-di-san-martino/
https://www.luoghimisteriosi.it/toscana_luccaduomo.html
https://arttrip.it/tutti-i-misteri-della-cattedrale-di-lucca/
http://www.duepassinelmistero.com/Le%20chiese%20di%20Lucca.htm
http://www.viadelvoltosanto.it/index.php/La_leggenda
https://www.leonardouno.net/lucca-e-dintorni/storie-racconti-leggende/138-la-leggenda-del-volto-santo-di-lucca-e-la-qluminaraq
https://www.avvenire.it/chiesa/pagine/volto-santo-lucca-datazione
http://www.archiviovoltosanto.org/it/archivio/bibliografia-studi/la-leggenda-del-volto-santo-di-lucca-nascita-e-diffusione-di
https://www.welcome2lucca.com/la-pietra-del-diavolo-di-palazzo-bernardini-a-lucca/
https://blog.zingarate.com/luccadascoprire/palazzo-bernardini-la-pietra-del-diavolo/
https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2019/05/23/news/la-pietra-del-diavolo-e-l-inganno-a-martino-bernardini-1.32896248
https://www.loschermo.it/lopera-del-diavolo-a-palazzo-bernardini/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Title: Snow Ticket
Author: Pipe Choir Records
License: Creative Commons Attribution
Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental