Lucca, Italy: A Travel Guide- Attractions, Things to Do And More

This beautiful square (although it's actually round) was built right on top of the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater. While you won't see any of the ruins themselves, the shape of the plaza and the buildings around it give the nod to its earliest use. The curved buildings are of different heights and colors, creating a welcoming open space. The Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is home to fantastic restaurants and cafes and hosts numerous concerts.

San Michele in Foro is a beautiful church found in the center of Lucca, in the square of the same name (Piazza San Michele). The church and square are dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, and an immense statue of the saint sits atop it. It was built in the 12th century of Carrara marble, covered in ornamentation, and the interior has a more simple design dating back to Roman times.

The Lucca Cathedral, or Duomo di San Martino, is a stunning Romanesque cathedral built in the 11th century and finished in the 14th century. Well, partially finished - the bell tower was only partially completed, and you can see where the work stopped in covering the bricks. The outdoor facade is richly decorated, but the interior is what is really impressive. The ceiling is covered with beautiful mosaics, and religious travelers will want to see the Volto Santo - a wooden crucifix purported to have been made by a miracle, not by humans.

This clock tower is the actual tallest tower in Lucca, built in the Middle Ages specifically to mark the time of day with its clock and bells. A fascinating legend states that a woman sold her soul to the devil for beauty and youth, and the devil was to come back in thirty years to collect payment. At the end of the thirty years, the woman ran up the strenuous set of stairs in an attempt to stop the bell from ringing at midnight and marking her death. As the legend goes, she didn't reach the bell in time, sadly.

Many Medieval and Renaissance-era cities were walled as the main line of defense, and you can still see a completely preserved length of the Medieval walls that once surrounded Lucca, Italy. This wall section entirely surrounds the historic old town of Lucca and features six ancient city gates. A tree-lined pedestrian promenade spanning the entire 4 kilometers has been built along the top of the city walls, which many joggers and walkers enjoy.

This palace-turned-museum is a real must-see in Lucca. It is a national museum and features rooms filled with frescoes, ancient furniture, and beautiful tapestries. Here, you'll find the Salone della Musica, the Hall of Mirrors, and paintings from the personal collections of the Medici family and the Grand Duchy. Tours of the entire villa and grounds are available.

Another mansion turned into a museum, and the Palazzo Pfanner has a Baroque garden filled with statuary and fountains and houses a small but highly curated collection of costumes and jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The famous opera composer Giacomo Puccini was born and raised in Lucca, and his birthplace in the Casa di Corte San Lorenzo has been turned into a museum. Music fans can enjoy collections of photographs, manuscripts, and opera costumes.

The third of Lucca's most beautiful churches are Saint Frediano's Basilica. A gold mosaic of Christ and the twelve apostles decorates the front of the church. The baptismal font inside is truly a work of art, with reliefs depicting the life of Moses around the outside. It houses the body of Saint Zita, the patron saint of Lucca.

The Guinigi tower is an interesting, tree-topped tower located in the historic center of Lucca. In the 14th century, towers were considered a symbol of status and power. By planting oak trees atop this tower, the Guinigi family could claim the Guinigi tower as the highest tower in Lucca.

Not far from the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is the Piazza Napoleone, or the square of Napoleon. In the center is a masterful statue of Maria Luisa, an important citizen of Lucca. One entire square side is filled with the Palazzo della Provincia, where Napoleon's sister lived. The other side holds the Museo del Risorgimento, a museum of the political history of the Italian unification movement. The Piazza Napoleone is also the location of the Giglio Theatre.

If you want to enjoy a piece of Lucca that's off the beaten path, then the Sortie San Paolino is the place for you. It's the ancient underground tunnel system of the old city walls! It serves as the host to many cultural events and art exhibits, which lend to its otherworldly atmosphere.

Here is a marvel of architectural achievement! This stone aqueduct carried water from the mountains over 3 kilometers into Lucca, Italy, and it still stands in its entirety!