The 5 attractions not to be missed when visiting the city of Lucca

Tuscany is full of landscapes, and unique places just waiting to be discovered. The city of Lucca, located a short distance from Pisa, is one of the most interesting tourist destinations in the area. Full of history and characteristic monuments, Lucca is the right destination for those who want to spend a weekend in Tuscany without ever getting bored. Walking on foot you can reach several interesting sites, which branch out from the city center to the outskirts. In every corner and at every intersection you will find restaurants and bars offering local food, so you can stop and try the typical dishes.

What to see in Lucca

The number of attractions to be observed in Lucca is constantly growing, thanks to the continuous interventions of the local administration. The goal is to transform the city into a perfect historical cradle, where you can feel surrounded by memories and the beauty of the past.

1 Amphitheatre Square

In the very center of the city is the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro of Lucca. Its name already reveals a part of its history, because it was born from a previous Roman construction. It has preserved the closed elliptical shape of the Roman Amphitheater, some original remains can be seen in Via dell'Anfiteatro. Today the Piazza is considered the true heart of Lucca, the center of social and tourist life.

2 Cathedral of St. Martin

The Cathedral of San Martino , built around the 6th century, is also known as the “asymmetrical cathedral”. Its facade, in fact, does not respect the canons of perfection typical of the time, so much so that it is assumed that something unusual happened during construction. The interior is the element of greatest interest, considering the large number of works housed there. In particular, it is possible to observe the beautiful statue of San Martino and the Poor , the statue of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia, and also the Last Supper by Tintoretto.

3 The Botanical Garden

Duchess Maria Luisa of Bourbon had a real Botanical Garden built in 1820. The imposing structure, which extends for about two hectares, is located a short distance from the center of Lucca and hosts more than 100 different species of plants. A colorful and fragrant nursery, which is definitely worth a visit.

4 Church of St. Michael

The Church of San Michele has become famous thanks to a nice legend that concerns it. On the front facade there is a beautiful statue dedicated to the Archangel Michael, who seems to wear a ring with a large diamond. According to the legend, on days when the sun is high it is possible to observe the diamond shining, illuminating part of the facade. In any case, even if the story were not true, the Church would be beautiful enough to be visited for its particular mix of styles, from Gothic to Romanesque, which transform it into a unique attraction.

5 Tower of the Hours

The ancient Torre delle Ore is the first monument visible from above, known for being the tallest tower in Lucca. It was built in 1390, then renovated several times to allow it to survive time and weather. Its central clock is still working and represents one of the greatest examples of art and clockmaking technique. Beautiful and evocative, the Tower deserves to be visited even just for its history.