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S Ceccardo's Church
Renovated in the 19th century and consecrated in 1823, the church stands on the remnants of an old 16th century chapel built where, according to tradition, the patron saint of Carrara suffered martyrdom. Its simple plastered façade contains a niche above the portal with a statue of Saint Ceccardo in bishop's habit, decorated with a crown and plant shoots; on the frontispiece there are two marble putti heads.
The inside is rectangular in shape with cupola apse. On the polychrome altar, there are the statues of Christ and Madonna and two marble angel heads rise above the tabernacle; on the sides of the altar, the statues of Saint Joseph and the Holy Virgin are inside niches. High up in the rear, a 16th century canvas of the martyrdom of the patron saint of Carrara with the Holy Virgin and Child amongst angels is within a marble frame with two cherub's heads above. The white marble slab with the inscription "MDXIII" and, three steps below floor level, the small chapel with the water spring on the right hand wall are remnants of the previous church.
According to tradition which attributes healing powers to it, the water springs up where the martyr's head fell. The water jets out of a marble lion's head set in floral bas-reliefs in marble. The marble icon on the wall above this group of statues portrays Saint Ceccardo with the inscription " S. CICHARDO" at his feet and the marble bas-relief above represents the scene of his martyrdom.
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