Things to Do in Lucca

The main thoroughfare running through historic Lucca is Via Fillungo, one of the liveliest streets in town. It stretches from the Porta dei Borghi (one of the ancient gates in Lucca's pristine city walls) to Canto d'Arco. The street is lined with shops and cafes, making it a magnet for tourist activity as well as for locals.

 

Some of the attractions along this pretty street include the 11th-century Church of San Cristoforo and Palazzo Manzi. The famous clock tower is not far away, and from the top of that tower you get an excellent view down Via Fillungo.

The main church in Lucca is its cathedral, the Duomo di Lucca, built in the 11th century. The structure stands at one side of the Piazza San Martino, and inside, visitors will find the most revered relic in town: the Holy Face of Lucca (Volto Santo). This wooden cross is said to have been carved by Nicodemus, and although the one on display is a 13th-century copy, it's no less important to the church or town. There are two times each year when the Volto Santo is celebrated, dressed in special vestments in the cathedral. The church was rebuilt in the 14th century, although the campanile (bell tower) from the original structure remains, which is why one arch is quite a bit smaller than the other.

 

Other points of interest inside the Duomo are paintings by Ghirlandaio and Tintoretto, as well as the 15th-century tomb of Ilaria del Carretto of the Guinigi family. There is a museum in the cathedral as well.

The Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is a large square in the center of historic Lucca. As the name suggests, it was once the site of a Roman amphitheatre, one that was built in the first century and could hold up to 10,000 people. The remains of that structure now lie more than nine feet underground, but the oval shape of the piazza is a direct result of the outline of the amphitheatre.

 

The Piazza dell'Anfiteatro was built in 1830 by demolishing some buildings that had been constructed in the space. It became the site of the town's market, and is the heart of the old city today.

The red-brick Guinigi Tower pierces the sky above Lucca’s medieval center, and is particularly notable for its impressive rooftop garden shaded by several ancient holm oaks that date from the early 17th century. Climb the 230 steps inside the tower for views across the historic rooftops of Lucca.

During the Middle Ages, Lucca had more than 200 tower houses inside the city walls, defensive residences where the wealthy families could live and work in safety. Today, only nine remain and the most famous is the Guinigi Tower (Torre Guinigi), built in the 14th century by the powerful family of silk merchants who once ruled the city. This rooftop garden was renovated in the 1980s and can be visited via the internal staircase. From its ramparts, you can make out Lucca’s three concentric rings of historic city walls and other remaining towers, and the green Tuscan hills beyond. 

Lucca is about 90 minutes from Florence, and a popular day trip together with Pisa. You can explore the town center with a walking tour or by bike, hitting on other highlights like Lucca Cathedral, San Michele in Foro church, and Piazza dell’Anfiteatro.

The Guinigi Tower is located in the center of Lucca’s old town, an easy walk from the train station. To reach Lucca, you can take a train or drive from Florence or Pisa.

Lucca holds a popular music festival each summer featuring Italian and international rock and pop artists, and the city has a particularly vibrant atmosphere during the months of July, August, and September.

The historic center of Lucca is encircled by what many consider to be the most beautiful medieval city walls in Italy. The wide top of the walls has been landscaped with shade trees, benches, and biking and walking paths, and is a popular area to stroll and relax for visitors and locals alike.

Giacomo Puccini was a great Italian musician from the city of Lucca in Tuscany. He was the last in a long line of musicians in his family. The house he was raised in held a special place in his heart, and he always made sure it remained in the family. Today this restored house is the Puccini Museum. The displays include photographs, opera costumes and librettos, drafts, and other rare documents from Puccini's life. Visitors can also see the costume of Turandot, which was worn by Maria Jeritza at the Metropolitan Opera House of New York in 1926. 

The museum also contains original furniture from when Puccini and his family lived there. You will also see awards the musician won, including the Messa a Quattro Voci from 1880 and Il Capriccio Sinfonico from 1883. There is also a collection of letters written by Giacomo Puccini, his wife Elvira, his son Antonio, and his publisher, Giulio Ricordi.

This idyllic medieval bridge whose name translates to "Bridge of Mary Magdelene" played an essential role in early Italian history. That's because its stone arches and narrow walkway allowed French pilgrims to make their way over waters to the holy city of Rome. Although locals know that a major flood in the mid-1800s damaged the bridge's original structure, travelers can still see what remains of the restored version, which includes a roadway and new arch that reflects beautifully when the river is calm.

Visitors to this popular Lucca attraction will likely hear the local legend about Ponte della Maddalena's nickname—Devil's Bridge—which comes from a tale of a shepherd who makes a deal with the devil to build the stone bridge.

San Michele in Foro takes its name from its location – the basilica was built over the site of Lucca's ancient Roman forum. The original church dates back to the eighth century, although the one seen today was built in the 11th century. The 13th-century facade is one of the highlights of the basilica, with its graceful arches and intricate carvings. It's noted as one of the best examples of the Pisan Romanesque style, and – as a bonus – visitors can see an open staircase on the backside that climbs over the roof of the church.

 

By contrast, the church's interior is more sedate and not very well-lit, although there is a painting by 15th-century master Filippino Lippi of Saints Helen, Jerome, Sebastian, and Roch. There is also a statue of the Madonna at the back of the church that was once on the facade.