Lucca - San Frediano

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805.

San Frediano (aka "Fridianus", "Frigianu") was an Irish hermit, who in 560 became Bishop of Lucca. He died in 588 and got buried in the crypt of a church, that existed here at that time.

The construction of today´s "Basilica di San Frediano" started in 1112. The church was consecrated in 1147. As it was built very close to the city wall, this church is not oriented to the east. About a century after the consecration, the first remodelling was done.

Saint Zita was born in 1212 near Lucca and became a servant in a household at the age of 12. She worked for the family for 48 years. She lived a hard. but pious life and died at the age of 60.

A cult developed, miracles happened and when in 1580 her body was exhumed, it was discovered to be incorrupt. The body was mummified and in 1696 she got canonized. She is the patron saint for servants, homemakers, waiters and helps to find lost keys.

Saint Zita´s body now is on display in a chapel of San Frediano.