Piazza Anfiteatro

Welcome to the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, one of the most suggestive and unique urban spaces in the entire world. As you stand in the center of this elliptical square, you are literally standing on top of two thousand years of…

Enter the square through the northern archway, one of the four gateways that align with the original cardinal entrances of the Roman amphitheater. As you walk through the shadows of the vaulted passage, notice the thickness of…

Standing in the very center of the square, you are at the heart of the former arena floor. However, a fascinating geological and archaeological fact is that you are standing three meters—nearly ten feet—above the level where the…

Following the fall of Rome, the amphitheater underwent a radical transformation. In the 6th and 7th centuries, during the unstable period of Lombard rule, the massive open structure was seen as a strategic asset. …

Piazza Anfiteatro is not just a monument; it is a vibrant, living environment. As you stroll around the perimeter, take in the sensory details that make this place so beloved. …

The square is also a site of long-standing Lucchese traditions, most notably the flower market. Every year, particularly in the spring and during the feast of Santa Zita in April, the elliptical space is filled with thousands of…

In the modern era, Piazza Anfiteatro has expanded its role from a local marketplace to a stage for global culture. The square is a primary venue for the Lucca Summer Festival, an event that draws some of the world's most famous…

As you prepare to leave the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, stand for one last moment in its center and look up at the ring of rooftops. You are standing in a place that has survived the rise and fall of empires, the transformation of…