The Phases of Moving the Volto Santo
The delicate process of moving the Volto Santo was completed successfully on Thursday, December 1, 2022. The sculpture was brought from the Tempietto built by Civitali, where it has remained for centuries, to the restoration laboratory specially established for this project in the north transept of the cathedral.
Thursday, December 1, 2022
The workmen of Arterìa—under the direction of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence and the supervision of the Soprintendenza of Lucca—first lifted the crucifix inside of the Tempietto using a specially-designed system of winches. They then proceeded to move the sculpture out of the Tempietto through the side opening toward the central nave of the cathedral.
The crucifix, entirely covered with a protective layer of tissue, was carried on a special trolley and securely placed in the laboratory.
The relocation of the sculpture was attended by representatives from the Archdiocese of Lucca, the Ente Chiesa Cattedrale, the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca (which has funded the entire restoration), as well as authorities and members of the Scientific Committee.
See at right a brief extract of the video from the day