Il complesso episcopale di Lucca. Evidenze materiali e storia degli studi delle fasi tardo antiche e altomedievali

The complex of SS. Giovanni e Reparata in Lucca is located in the southeastern area of urban development, within the Roman city walls. Between 1969 and 1971 the complex underwent restoration work and non-stratigraphic excavations, published in 1992. The first ecclesia episcopalis was developed between the 4th and early 5th centuries on an area previously occupied by a bath complex erected in the early 2nd century AD. This was a one-room church with a projecting apse (or alternatively with a three-aisle plan), solea, and mosaic floor (mid-4th century). On the north side, adjacent to the church, was the baptistery (first phase: late 4th- early 5th century). A funerary area connected to the church and baptistery developed from the late 5th to early 6th century. Early medieval interventions at S. Reparata consisted of renovations of late antique structures: the most significant changes were the construction of the crypt, the new arrangement of the presbytery area, the renovation of the liturgical furnishings (by the 8th century or between the 8th and early 9th centuries) and the construction of an enclosure (9th century). After important interventions in the proto-Romanesque phase (11th century), the church was rebuilt from the foundations in the 12th century.