Cathedral, Lookout, Tower

The main monument is undoubtedly the largest church in the city, the Cathedral of St. Martin (Cattedrale di San Martino or Duomo di Lucca in Italian). A bit unusual is the fact that it is not located in the centre of the historic core, but on its south-eastern edge near the walls. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Lucca" https://www.booking.com/city/it/lucca.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-lucca-katedramartin] Architecture and history The current…

Square, Church

San Michele Square, named after its main monument, the Church of San Michele in Foro, is a focal point on the map of Lucca and a meeting point for tourists and residents alike. Piazza San Michele is also nicknamed Piazza delle Catene after the small marble columns connected by steel chains that enclose the square. The square is surrounded by medieval buildings easily recognisable by their round and pointed windows and brick facades. Piazza San…

Tower, Lookout

The Torre Guinigi is a brick tower in the typical Tuscan Romanesque-Gothic style of architecture and has become the main symbol of Lucca thanks to its crown of live oaks growing on the battlements. The tower was built, together with the Palazzo Guinigi, during the 14th century as one of the residences of the wealthy Guinigi banking and merchant family. At that time, it was common for the most influential inhabitants of the city to build…

Basilica

The Church of St. Fridian is famous for its beautiful fresco on the facade and is one of the main sights of the town. The Basilica of San Frediano represents the typical Romanesque style of the Tuscan Middle Ages and is also one of the classic examples of Lucca's architecture before it was largely influenced by the style of neighbouring Pisa. San Frediano is one of the oldest churches in Lucca, dating from 1147. [btn "The 10 best hotels in…

Castles

The entire historic centre is surrounded by massive brick walls, which are separated from modern Lucca by a wide green belt. Unlike most other Italian towns, which have expanded over the centuries and gradually lost their walls, Lucca has retained an intact ring of solid fortifications to this day. [btn "Book a hotel for 1 night in Lucca" https://www.booking.com/city/it/lucca.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-lucca-piazzamichele] Wide pedestrian…

Tower, Lookout

The Torre delle Ore, or Torre dell'Orologio, is a famous astronomical clock and bell tower in one. The clock tower is one of the symbols of the city. At 50 metres high, the Torre delle Ore is the tallest secular tower in Lucca, surpassed only by the 59-metre-high bell tower of St. Martin's Cathedral. [btn "Book a hotel for 1 night in Lucca" https://www.booking.com/city/it/lucca.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-lucca-torreore] Tower building was a…