Lucca Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local

South entrance gate of the wall of Lucca: the most imposing entrance to the Renaissance walls. This door was built on the road leading to Pisa in 1566.

Piazza Napoleone, also normally known as “Piazza Grande”, is historically the center of the city’s political power. Today, Piazza Napoleone is lively animated by cultural events and concerts, including the Lucca Summer Festival.

The facade of the church is known for its asymmetry: in fact, one of the arches, built in the 12th century, is smaller due to the pre-existing bell tower. The church houses masterpieces such as the funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto, the Sacred Conversation by Ghirlandaio, the Last Supper by Tintoretto and the altarpiece by Fra’ Bartolomeo. We will see this church from the outside but, If you want, feel free to enter!

Lucca is known as “the city of 100 churches”, but during the Middle Ages its “skyline” was dominated not only by bell towers, but also by numerous towers built by noble families. These towers represented social status: the higher the tower, the more important the family.

The Church of San Michele, located in the ancient Roman square of Lucca, known as Piazza San Michele in Foro, dates back to the 8th century and is dedicated to the archangel Michael. On the top of the church, a large marble statue of the Archangel Michael dominates, 4 meters high, with wings made of metal foil, depicted defeating the dragon. According to legend, on brighter days, a glow can be seen coming from the statue, attributed to an emerald set in ancient times, which has never been found.

e Tower stands on the corner of Via Sant’Andrea and Via delle Chiavi d’Oro, easily distinguishable from any point of the city thanks to the trees that grow on its top. he tower is 45 meters high, to reach the top you will have to climb 230 steps. Even if the climb can be a bit challenging, don’t let yourself be discouraged, because the view you can enjoy from above is worth every effort! Ticket cost: 8€

This square is characterized by an elliptical shape and you can access it through four vaulted doors. Although the remains are no longer visible, beneath the square are the foundations of the ancient Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD, where gladiator fights once took place.

The Basilica of San Frediano is one of the oldest places of worship in Lucca. According to tradition, it was founded by San Frediano himself, an Irish prince who, having become a hermit on Mount Pisano, was one of the first bishops of the city between 560 and 588. The first mention of the basilica dates back to 685, when it is cited as ” basilica Longobardorum”. Ticket cost: 3€