San Michele in Foro is a Roman Catholic Basilica in the city of Lucca. It has been of note in history since the late 8th century as that was when it was first mentioned by the Pope and until 1370 it was the place for the Major Council. This place would have been very important during the Dark Ages because it gave people organization, stability, and hope for something better. In 1070 the church was redone by Pope Alexander II and was made to look as it does now. The building even houses three priceless pieces of art! For the people today it is a remembrance of the rich religious history in the town.
The city of Lucca is also an important city for me. It is where my mom’s side of the family resided for hundreds of years before immigrating to the United States. While there is a lot of heritage drawn from Roman influence, this place is part of my western heritage. It meant so much to be able to walk the streets, much of which the original Roman structure has been kept, and experience a city and place with so rich of history which has intertwined with my personal history. I even got to have Gelato from a man who is friends with my mom’s cousin! How amazing and grateful I am to see the importance then, now, and for myself.
