Things to do near Piana di Lucca Italy – what to see attractions and activities.

Lucca - Churches and places of worship

Duomo

Dedicated to St. Martin, the saint known for the episode of the mantle, it is located in the square. Inside the church there is the Temple of the Holy Face, a shrine built in 1484 with an octagonal plan and eight columns.

Lucca - Churches and places of worship

Santuario di Santa Gemma

The Sanctuary was built in 1771 in honor of Santa Gemma Galgani. The project began with Italo Baccelli and, for war reasons, was completed by Adriano Marabini. The interior of the Sanctuary is the result of the work of many artists of the time who created famous works: the two mosaics and the altarpiece. The building is open to the public.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Elisa

Porta Elisa was built at the beginning of the 19th century. It is a neoclassical structure with Doric elements, dedicated to Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon's sister. At the time it worked like a small 'Arc de Triomphe' and made it possible to access the Via Elisa. It is currently in good condition and can be noted along the Piazzale Don Aldo Mei.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Acquedotto Storico Lorenzo Nottolini

The Aqueduct, by Lorenzo Nottolini, dates back to the first part of the nineteenth century, commissioned by the Duchess of Lucca. Its length extends over almost 3.2 km, characterized by over 400 arches. It had a very important function for the area at the time, but after a few years it lost six of its pillars due to the construction of the A11 motorway. Today, the aqueduct has only a monumental function, and it is freely open to visitors.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Baluardo San Martino

The Buluardo San Martino dates back at the same time as the urban walls of Lucca, to the 16th century. It is a refuge fortification that tells a lot about the history of Lucca. Today it is in a good state of preservation for those who want to visit it.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Santa Maria

The Porta Santa Maria was created between 1549 and 1592 and is part of the Renaissance wall circle of Lucca. The door is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and in fact it depicts a marble statue of the Madonna inserted in a niche on the door itself. Originally there was only one opening and later the two side openings were added. In addition, you can see the statues each depicting a panther, the symbol of the city of Lucca.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Brancoli Busdraghi

The construction of Palazzo Brancoli dates back to the 17th century and inside there is a huge private garden. In the old documents of the city, the garden appeared for the first time in 1843, having, in fact, a very special structure. Nowadays it has an irregular shape with access to the north side and numerous flowering species as well as a small rose garden. Currently, it is the headquarters of a hotel, available to all interested parties.

Lucca - Streets and Squares

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Piazza Anfiteatro is built on the remains of the ancient Roman amphitheater of the 2nd century and is located in the city of Lucca. The square was born in the Middle Ages and was called “I speak”, indicating the place where citizens' meetings were held. To date, the floor of the square is raised by about 3 meters compared to the Roman arena. The square is normally frequented by tourists who appreciate its history and structure.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Torre e Palazzo Guinigi

The Guinigi Tower was built in the second half of the 15th century and belonged to Nicolao Guinigi, a member of a rich family of merchants. The 44.25 meters high building was built of stone and brick and is special since at the top there is a hanging garden wanted by the Guinigi as a symbol of rebirth. It is worth visiting, as in addition to the garden, we can also admire the splendid panorama of the city and the surrounding mountains.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Torre delle Ore

The Torre delle Ore is located in Lucca, and is the highest in the city. The first watch was built in 1390, but thanks to technological evolution, the watch was modified several times by changing both the dial and the bells. Today it is among the most visited monuments in the city.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Gigli

Palazzo Gigli has an authentic and very interesting structure. Over time, even if restored, we can see the original system. The Palace belonged to the Gigli family until 1661. Today it is home to the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca.

Lucca - Streets and Squares

Piazza Antelminelli

The square is of fourteenth-century origin and was called Anteminelli because of the homonymous houses that were demolished to make room for the square. It is distinguishable from the fountain located in the center, which was designed and built by Nottolini in 1932. Today it is surrounded by numerous historical monuments, important points in the area and much visited by tourists.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Micheletti

Built in the mid-sixteenth century by Bartolomeo Ammannati, it has a baluster wall that encloses a green garden. The palace is joined to the church of San Giovanni (one of the oldest in the city), with the garden of the palace and with the fourteenth-century Casa dell'Opera del Duomo, today the seat of the Banca del Monte di Lucca.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Baluardo San Colombano

The Bulwark is part of the urban walls of Lucca. It is a fortification dating back to the 16th century, now transformed into an elegant café-restaurant.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Baluardo Santa Croce

The bulwark of Santa Croce is the last to be built in the city of Lucca and dates back to 1547. Its structure is such as to facilitate movement within it and make it more effective. Over the years, the bulwark has changed its function. In fact, the Camillo Aita outdoor school has been located on the internal platform since the early twentieth century, whose pavilion classrooms are also distributed along the adjacent embankment towards S. Giustina.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Pfanner

This palace is located on the edge of the Walls of Lucca and was built in 1660. It is known for its wonderful gardens in which there are in addition to seasonal blooms badger plants, pine trees, fruit trees and magnolias. On the sides of the wooden portal there are two niches containing on the right the statue of Hercules and on the left that of Cibele. For its rare beauty, this palace was also used as a set for numerous film films.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Baluardo di San Donato

The Baluardo San Donato is part of the system of the Walls of Lucca and dates back to the 16th century. It is an ancient fortification that, together with the other bulwarks of the area, tells a lot about the history of Lucca. The state of conservation is quite good. In addition, the property is easy to visit.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Antica Porta San Donato

The Ancient Gate of San Donato was built at the end of the 16th century. The structure was designed by Vincenzo Civitali and has late Romanesque elements coming from the walls (the two marble lions). It is part of the great wall system of Lucca and, today, houses the tourist information offices in the area.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Pretorio

This building was built on the corner with Via Vittorio Veneto and is the most remarkable example of the Renaissance period in Lucca. Inside the loggia you can admire the monument to Matteo Civitali, designer of this building and the busts of the explorer Carlo Piaggia and the Garibaldino from Lucca Tito Stroacchi.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Vittorio Emanuele

The Porta Vittorio Emanuele is also called Sant'Anna because of its proximity to the homonymous church. It was opened at the beginning of the 20th century to improve the traffic situation in the aforementioned area. Today it has two passages for cars and two for pedestrians.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Ducale

The building was built in 1401, and over the years it was home to several very important institutions, as well as the home of noble families. The final aspect we see today is the result of B. Ammannati's work in 1578. Today it continues to be the seat of the Provincial Administration, including other important offices in the city.

Lucca - Streets and Squares

Piazza Napoleone

Piazza Napoleone was built in the early 19th century and is the main square of Lucca. It was Lazzarini and Bienimé who designed it. It took the name of the emperor because it was commissioned by the latter's sister, Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi. The square underwent several restorations over the years, changing its façade from the original one. Today it hosts the Doge's Palace and several local events.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Baluardo San Paolino

The Bulwark of San Paulino is named so precisely in honor of the patron saint of the city. He was the first to evangelize the city and was then buried in the inner core of the walls. The bulwark has a regular shape, with equal faces and angles. Today access takes place from the entrance of the barracks. The International Center for the Study of Urban Circles (CISCU) has been located in the ancient bulwark barracks since 1967.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Sortita Porta San Pietro

The Sortita Porta di San Pietro, located in the city of Lucca, is among the oldest gates of the same. The door takes this name as it was enlarged to allow the tramway trains to transit. The exit from the walls takes place precisely thanks to this short gallery that still exists and is, today, also visited by tourists.

Lucca - Museums

Museo di Arte Contemporanea

Museum of Contemporary Art Lu.C.C.A. (Lucca Center of Contemporary Art) The museum is set up within Palazzo Boccella, an old building a few steps from the Market Square. Here are held exhibitions of contemporary art. Worth visiting!

Lucca - Theaters

Teatro Del Giglio

A theater of tradition, which has hosted the best Italian companies with concerts, dances, operas. The company Teatro del Carretto, within the Teatro del Giglio co - produces shows of international importance.

Lucca - Museums

Museo della Liberazione 1943-45

The Liberation Museum 1943 — 1945 is located in some rooms of Palazzo Guinigi, in the historic center of Lucca. The Museum was built in 1988 by a group of veterans of World War II. In the five rooms of the Museum there are photographs and writings, uniforms and relics, illustrating the contribution made by the citizens of Lucca to the liberation of the territory of the province of Lucca.

Lucca - Museums

Museo e Pinacoteca Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi

The Museum and the National Art Gallery are located inside Palazzo Mansi. The palace dates back to the 16th century. The Museum was set up to present to the public a collection of the family heritage by the Mansi Family, owners of the building since 1616. The Palace underwent deep restorations, completed in 1977. These works gave the building a very luxurious look.

Lucca - Museums

Museo della Cattedrale

Since 1992, at the Museum of the Cathedral of Lucca, the furnishing works of the Cathedral of San Martino have been preserved. The works are arranged in chronological order, in order to better expose historical changes to the public. A room is dedicated to the Holy Face preserved in the cathedral of San Martino. The Museum of the Cathedral of Lucca is located on a building complex.

Lucca - Museums

Museo del Risorgimento

It occupies part of the Palazzo Ducale and illustrates the period between the unification of Italy and the First World War. A rich collection where you can see weapons of various ages from different countries.

Lucca - Museums

Gipsoteca dell'Istituto d'Arte "Augusto Passaglia"

The Passaglia Gipsoteca, located inside the State Institute of Art “A.Passaglia”, is of eighteenth-century origins. It has a large collection of documents and works of mythology made of plaster, found directly from the archaeological areas. It represents a fairly important cultural point in Lucca, which is open to the public.

Montecarlo - Historic Centres

Borgo di Montecarlo

The historic center of Montecarlo, dating back to 1333, is located on an isolated hill and is surrounded by a beautiful city wall. The Monte Carlo hill is particularly famous for the production of remarkable quality oil and fine DOC wines.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Mura di Lucca

Access is permitted within the city by the walls, passing through six gates, which from north and clockwise are: Porta Santa Maria, Porta San Jacopo, Porta Elisa, Porta San Pietro Porta Porta Sant'Anna and San Donato.

Lucca - Museums

Museo di Palazzo Mansi

It hosts a major national art gallery in the building that dates back to 500, later were recovered the original furniture, tapestries and frescoes on the walls.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Porta di San Jacopo

The Porta San Jacopo was built around 1930. Also known as Porta IV Novembre, it is one of the Tuscan tourist attractions in the municipality of Lucca. Inside it we observe a writing, from the fascist era, today still partially readable.

Lucca - Monuments

Baluardo San Pietro

Porta San Pietro is a door of the walls of Lucca, it was erected between 1565 and 1566, by Alessandro Resta, and is part of the Renaissance wall circle. The Porta San Pietro opens with three doors, topped in the center by a shield with the coat of arms of St. Peter with the engraving “libertas” and on the sides it has two lions inserted in niches.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Baluardo San Salvatore

The Bulwark, built in the 16th century, is part of the system of the Walls of Lucca. Over the years it was restored and modified, as inside there was a fortification called the “Bastard”, the traces of which can be seen and observed even today. It is currently in a good state of preservation.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Nozzano

The Castle of Nozzano dates back to the twelfth century, and was attributed to Matilde di Canossa. Built for defensive reasons, for many years, the building was part of the continuous wars carried out between the Lucca and the Pisans. As a result, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt twice. However, today we find it in good condition, even if only the external part can be visited.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Oliva

The first documents date back to the sixteenth century when the villa belonged to the Buonvisi. The villa suffered several damages during World War II and the restoration was due to the engineer Cesare Oliva. The garden of the villa is characterized by a double slope and the connection takes place through small flights of stairs. The entire property is divided into three zones. In 1770 it was restored by Francesco Buonvisi.

Lucca - Streets and Squares

Via Fillungo

It 's the main street of the city inside the walls, and one of the most representative symbols of the city as center and heart of tourism, trade and handicrafts

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Cenami

Palazzo Cenami was built in the '500 by Nicolao Civitali, on commission of the Arnolfini family. Seventy years later, the palace was purchased by the Cenami family. Its structure is typical of the 16th century and you can notice Florentine elements. Currently, the palace hosts several local exhibitions and is open to the public.

Lucca - Churches and places of worship

Oratorio di San Benedetto in Gottella

The Oratory dates back to the 13th century and its medieval elements are well notable. It is a stone structure, full of presbyteral decorations and fragments from the early Middle Ages, reached the building over the years. It is currently the seat of the Catholic Brotherhood of Legnaioli available to the public.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Mazzarosa

The Palace was built in the '500 and took its name from its owner in 1597, Alessandro Mazzarosa. The latter made it change, transforming it into a typical aristocratic residence, the elements of which are noticed even today. On the facade there is the coat of arms of the family, the portrait of the Holy Face and many others of the '500.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Santi Gervasio e Protasio

The Porta San Gervasio and Protasio or the so-called Porta dell'Annunziata dates back to the 13th century. It was built between 1255 and 1260. The building has special architectural and decorative elements from the Middle Ages. It consists of a gap and there are two towers. The gap is 8 m high. It was restored in 2006-2007.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Bernardini

Palazzo Bernardini is located in the homonymous square and was designed by Nicolao Civitali in the 16th century. The building is linked to Florentine architectural schemes. A curiosity: one of the stones in the window that is on the right of the door is curiously arched. According to a singular popular legend, this 'Devil's Stone' would refuse to adhere to the façade to remember the destruction of a sacred image that arose in that place before the rise of the palace.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Villa Bottini

It was built in the middle of the 16th century, in the historic center of Lucca. For a time, it was the property of Napoleon's sister, Elisa Bonaparte. The shape is of a parallelepiped positioned in such a way that you can have a garden full of green spaces. Over time, the garden has also been modified according to the preferences of the time. Today the structure is the place of representation for the Municipality and seat of the Cultural Office for Lucca. It is currently open and is accessible to the public.

Lucca - Churches and places of worship

Oratorio di Santa Giulia

The oratory of Santa Giulia is rectangular in plastered masonry. It is one of the religious buildings in Tuscany. Its origins date back to the 13th — 14th centuries. Its facade is in Gothic marble. Inside, you can admire a great Cross from the thirteenth century, which was painted on the table.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Porta di Borgo

The Gate of Borgo is a door of the ancient walls that surround the city of Lucca. It faces north and was built between 1198 and 1265. The Gate is located in the direction of Porta Santa Maria, at the end of Via Fillungo. The Gate has a structure in which there are two side towers and a central opening. Both parts of the Gate are now used as private homes. In addition, inside the door there is the fresco depicting the Madonna with Child.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Santini

Palazzo Santini is a very important element of the history of Lucca. It is a very special architectural structure: stucco decorations, heraldic emblems and coats of arms of Lucca (including the coat of arms of the Santini) that make it a point of historical interest for everyone the Lucca, but not only. Currently, the building is home to various structures of the Municipality of Lucca.

Lucca - Monuments

Madonna dello Stellario

The Column of Our Lady of the Stellario is the work of the sculptor Giovanni Lazzoni and is a baroque insert of great importance. The statue was placed above the Column in 1687 and appears to be the first monument to the Immaculate Conception built in Italy.

Lucca - Museums

Casa Museo 'Giacomo Puccini'

The birthplace where Giacomo Puccini was born on 22 December 1858 and in which the composer lived all the years of his childhood was transformed into a museum in 1979, was reopened to the public on 13th September 2011, after major restoration work. The museum houses original furnishings, precious objects, including the Steinway & Sons piano on which Turandot composed, autograph scores of youth compositions, many letters, paintings, photographs, sketches, memorabilia and precious documents that testify to the composer's work.

Lucca - Museums

Museo Civico di Storia Naturale del Liceo Classico "N. Machiavelli"

The Civic Museum of Natural History of the High School “Nicolò Machiavelli” is located inside the Nicolò Machiavelli classical high school of the municipality of Lucca. The building dates back to the 18th century and is the oldest high school in the province. Inside it houses a large collection of botany, zoology and mineralogy. The museum is open to the public.

Lucca - Theaters

Teatro di San Girolamo

This theater dates back to 1819 and it is related to the complex of Teatro del Giglio. The auditorium has 174 seats and the planning of the program offers concerts, drama and opera. Renovated and refurbished by the architect Giovanni Lazzarini.

Lucca - Theaters

Teatro Comunale Accademico

It was built in 1790. It has hosted major events of music and prose. It is a typical scene “all' Italiana” (oval-shaped auditorium with 29 stages divided into two orders and a lodge). Today, there are theater plays, operas and concerts.

Lucca - Theaters

Auditorium del Suffragio

The hall dates back to the XVI-XVII century. It has a capacity of 200 seats. It hosts theatrical and musical performances organized by the Boccherini Academy, a famous institution of Lucca.

Lucca - Museums

Pinacoteca "Lorenzo Viani"

It is part of the Museum of Villa Paolina, the summer residence of Paolina Borghese Bonaparte. The gallery has paintings of the twentieth century.

Lucca - Historic Centres

Casermetta San Paolino

In the walls that surround the city of Lucca, there are numerous buildings that were once used for war and today are instead used as bars, restaurants, circles or are simply abandoned. One of these buildings is precisely the Casermetta Baluardo San Paolino.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Orsetti

The Orsetti Palace was built by the Diodati family. Today the municipality is located in the palace of Orsetti. Outside the building we observe a beautiful garden, inside which there are trees and in the center a well. The garden is bordered by high walls. On the ground floor you can see some beautiful rooms with wall paintings from the 19th century. On the first floor there are beautiful rooms, among which the most important are that of Mirrors and the Music Room.

Lucca - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo Tucci

Palazzo Tucci is a structure of the sixteenth century although it underwent radical restoration in 1779 by Giuseppe Tucci and, as a result, nothing remains of the medieval aspect. The restoration project was given to Diodati, one of the best architects of the time, who gave the palace an entirely Baroque style. Today the palace is home to a hotel that hosts many tourists who wish to visit it.

Lucca - Parks and nature reserves

Orto Botanico

The Lucca botanical garden was created in 1820 by Maria Luisa of Bourbon with the aim of experimenting with the rooting of new botanical species. The Municipal Botanical Garden of Lucca is a scientific institution. Little by little it began to expand, to arrive at its present appearance: the 'residence' of a wide range of floral organisms. It was managed by the best professors. The Botanical Garden has an area of about 2 hectares and is home to hundreds of plant species. It became the property of the municipality of Lucca in 1901.

Lucca - Monuments

Baluardo Santa Maria

The Bulwark of Santa Maria is part of the imposing defensive circle of the walls of Lucca. It is called so because it presents an effigy depicting Mary on one of the corners. The walls, together with the bulwarks and towers, were built in the Renaissance. Along the whole route there are rows of ornamental trees that make the perimeter the most beautiful walk in the city.

Lucca - Walls, towers and gates

Baluardo San Regolo

This bulwark rises in the area, called in ancient “Piaggia Romana”, which was initially destined for the cemetery of the plagued, the sentenced to death and heretics, and subsequently used for the game of football. This structure was raised for defensive reasons. The interior of the bulwark was rebuilt in 1966 and is accessed from the Botanical Garden. Inside the bulwark you can see the rooms for the storage room of weapons and powder boxes.

Lucca - Museums

Museo Nazionale di Villa Guinigi

The villa was owned by Paolo Guinigi and was built around 1430. Inside lies a gallery with a collection of works by Lucca mostly known artists from the twelfth to the fifteenth century.