Basilica of San Frediano

The Basilica of San Frediano is located in the city of Lucca in Tuscany in the Toxana region, close to the airports of Pisa and Florence. The church bears the name of St. Friedian and can be found in St. Friedian's Square. The interior of the temple is decorated with white marble carvings. The temple contains a 12th-century Romanesque font, decorated with images from the life of the prophet Moses.

Lucca Circular Market

Lucca has a circular market, it was built on the site of an old Roman amphitheater, which now matches its design. Over the years, this part of the city has been a meeting place and has developed over time. In the nineteenth century, the architect Lorenzo Nottolini organized this space from an urbanist point of view. For many years this place served as a trading point in Lucca. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro has 4 entrances, including one on the site of the former entrance to the amphitheater. The square is surrounded by a road, also in an epileptic form. The buildings surrounding Piazza Amfiteatro are full of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops.

Lucca Cathedral

Do not confuse the cathedral with the Church of St. Archangel Michael, they are very similar and equally beautiful. The cathedral was founded in 1070, when it was consecrated by Anselmo da Baggio. The length of the cathedral is more than 84 m, and the height of the bell tower is 58 m. The building was built in Romanesque and Gothic styles. The temple itself was built, however, earlier, three centuries earlier.

Note the facade above the main portico with beautiful columns and openwork buildings. An interesting bas-relief of a labyrinth has been preserved on the façade of the bell tower. Entrance to this beautiful cathedral costs 3 euros. A combined ticket for the cathedral, the bell tower and baptistery, and the church of Santi Giovanni e Reparata costs 9 euros.

Basilica of San Frediano

It stands out among other temples in Lucca. This is especially true for the façade and the mosaic on top. Built in 1112 with a tall Romanesque bell tower. The characteristic mosaic depicts the Ascension of Christ with angels over the twelve apostles. It is similar to Byzantine temples, such as the Cathedral of Monreale in Palermo.

The nave of the Basilica of San Frediano no longer displays such Byzantine splendor and is muted in color, but you will still find many details and sculptures worth seeing. This is the highlight of Lucca, it is recommended to take a bottle with you and pour yourself from the tap of the Fontana della Pupporona in Piazza del Salvatore. The water has an acidity of 7.4 pH and is hard. It's tasty, refreshing and safe.

Piazza Napoleone

Lucca loves Napoleon very much. If someone doesn't like to call this square Napoleon Square, they can call it Piazza Grande. The second main square of the city is located at the southern gate of San Pietro. You'll find several restaurants and cafes here, as well as the Doge's Palace and the statue of Mary Ludwika of Bourbon-Parma, which replaced the statue of Napoleon. Lucca's annual summer festival takes place in Piazza Napoleon. You can come here after visiting the Basilica of San Frediano.

Church of the Archangel Michael in Lucca

This temple is often mistaken for the Basilica of San Frediano, mainly because of its style and beauty. The construction of temples began in the 8th century, when the church was erected on the site of the former Roman Forum. The facade is very similar to the facade of the cathedral and is also made of white marble with openwork and decorated columns.

At the very top of the facade there is a sculpture of the Archangel Michael; legend says that a hidden emerald can be seen in the sculpture under suitable lighting conditions. From the bell tower of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, one could hear the ringing of bells in Pisa itself, which greatly irritated the residents of the neighboring town and showed the superiority of Lucca over Pisa.

Puccini Lucca

Lucca is also the birthplace of the famous composer Puccini. And it is in this city that his museum is located. Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca 2. The city of Lucca was built on the traditional Roman urban grid, where the main places and buildings were built according to the plan of the most important Roman buildings. You can get to Lucca by car, by train from Florence and by bus. Lucca is located on the Firenze Mare motorway, making it very easy to get to from nearby towns.

The main railway station is located very close to the center, surrounded by walls. The vast majority of Lucca's attractions are within walking distance. You will enter the center through the main gate, you will probably enter from the south where it is close to the first attractions. It is worth setting aside enough time to visit the Basilica of San Frediano in order to have time to see everything and get acquainted with the history of its creation.