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Church of San Michele in Foro

Church of San Michele in Foro: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lucca: Guided Small Group Highlights Walking Tour

1. Lucca: Guided Small Group Highlights Walking Tour

Visit the iconic city of Lucca, famously known for its beautiful walls that surround the center of the city. Our tour begins just outside the walls, near one of the four monumental city doors: Porta San Pietro. Explore the secret underground tunnels which lead to a beautiful garden where 1631 trees were planted many moons ago. In ancient times, Lucca was a fortress city. Your local guide will explain how it was structured and the various hurdles and obstacles enemies had to overcome if they were to conquer the city. Next up: The monumental cathedral. Originally constructed as a dedication to Saint Martino, your guide will explain the mysteries surrounding its construction and architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of the Duomo with your guide. Visit two houses that seemed to have been preserved, frozen in time from the 14th century. You may choose to climb it, explore inside, and stand on top to enjoy the spectacular view. You’ll visit San Michele (the ancient political square) which houses important buildings in Lucca. If sweets are your thing, you might like to taste the traditional "Buccellato" cake at the famous bakery. The church dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel is filled with intricate works of art, depicting ancient scenes such as St Michael slaying a dragon. Listen as your guide points out these scenes and explains mythical stories. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the charming, bustling Fillungo Street. There’s no wonder why it’s the most popular street in Lucca- filled with shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and much more. And last but not least, the Roman amphitheater. This historic building housed gladiatorial shows and games and was built in the second half of the 1st century AD. At the end of the tour, feel free to continue exploring on your own or ask for a recommendation on where to go next.

Medieval Lucca for Kids: 2-Hour Private Tour

2. Medieval Lucca for Kids: 2-Hour Private Tour

Begin your guided 2-hour private tour at St. Martin Cathedral in the city center of Lucca. The intricacy of the design of the exterior of the cathedral will greet you, then enter to cathedral and allow for mythical animals and ancient legends to be unveiled as you explore. Your guide will explain the symbols seen and the intriguing legends and miracles associated with them. Throughout the tour, sketch the lions, dragons, mermaids, and griffons as seen on the facades of the churches and learn to read the façades of the tower houses that once belonged to the wealthy merchants of Lucca. Continue your tour with a visit to the Church of San Michele where you will find graffiti left inside and outside of the church by silk merchants. From the church, stroll through the medieval streets of Lucca and discover the subterranean area of the city, the walls of the city. After you will visit the historic Zecca, the oldest mint in Europe founded in 650 A.D, and learn how to mint a replica of the oldest European coin. Then finsih your tour with a well-earned gelato. 

Lucca: Guided City by Night Walking Tour

3. Lucca: Guided City by Night Walking Tour

Uncover the charm of Lucca as it lights up for the night on this group guided walking tour. Discover Romanesque churches and grand palazzos. Follow your guide to find secret gems that only locals know. Meet your guide amid the medieval architecture in Piazza San Michele. Walk to the church of Roman Catholic basilica of San Michele which was built atop a Roman forum. Admire the massive sculptures and inlays of the church's façade when they are lit for the night. View the trees on the Torre Guinigi tower and stand in the center of the unique Amphitheater square. Look at the shinning golden mosaic on the façade of the basilica of San Frediano. Climb the Renaissance ramparts for a stunning view of the Cathedral of San Martino.

Lucca: Private Guided Walking Tour

4. Lucca: Private Guided Walking Tour

Lucca, is a small jewel just north-west of Florence, which rises from the green of its neighboring valley as an almost intact testimony of the succession of centuries and domination. Its history is told above all by its form, by monuments, by streets and structures of every age that coexist in harmony. This classic itinerary was designed for those who come to visit the city of Lucca for the first time, or those who do not wish to dwell only on a historical period, but rather to have a global vision of the history of the city. Your tour includes a visit to the most significant monuments through which your guide will retrace all the historical and artistic phases. Among many other sites, you will visit the Church of St. Michael, a Roman-Catholic basilica with sublime details, built in 795.

Sweet and Salty Lucca by E-bike

5. Sweet and Salty Lucca by E-bike

Explore Lucca by bike in small groups and taste typical local products. Lucca is surrounded by Renaissance cycle walls and is known as "the city of 100 churches", but also for its food, both sweet and salty. During this relaxing tour you will discover the main attractions such as the Cathedral of San Martino, Church of San Michele, Piazza Napoleone, Piazza Anfiteatro and part of the walls always accompanied by our friendly guide. You will stop at a traditional delicatessen where you will taste Tuscan appetizers accompanied by a glass of wine and, after a short ride, seated again in one of the historic pastry shops where you will also taste sweets from Lucca.

From Florence: PRIVATE Full-Day Pisa and Lucca Guided Tour

6. From Florence: PRIVATE Full-Day Pisa and Lucca Guided Tour

What To Expect •Stop At: Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa.* Experience Pisa through the expert and knowledgeable lens of a professional tour guide! A comfortable one-hour drive will take you to Pisa. As soon as you arrive, with your guide will take you through the historic suburbs to arrive in Pisa’s most famous square—Piazza dei Miracoli. Pisa and its Piazza dei Miracoli have always been a fundamental part of a trip to Tuscany, and despite the presence of the many tourists, the place radiates a timeless, evocative and powerful beauty. Marvel at the perfect grass surrounding the enormous Duomo Baptistery, and the famous Leaning Tower. Duration: 2/3 hours •Stop At: The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Travel through one of the gates in Pisa's Medieval city walls. A specialized guide will follow you step by step for the duration of the visit to the monumental area of Pisa. Arrive at the breathtaking Leaning Tower of Pisa, the unmistakable tilting tower that has people marvel from all over the world. Visitors typically try to keep the leaning tower upright, with a little help from their camera’s perspective, to make for amusing photos! •Stop At: Lucca, Tuscany Continue on to the next stop: the charming town of Lucca, with its perfectly-preserved Renaissance-era city walls. Stroll through Lucca's streets and piazzas that exude a unique atmosphere. Learn about the important place the city takes on the Via Francigena route. Duration: 4/5 hours (time for lunch included) •Stop At: Piazza Anfiteatro, Lucca. Piazza Anfiteatro is a vivid square built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater. With its charming medieval atmosphere, Piazza dell'Anfiteatro offers many restaurants where you can enjoy lunch. •Stop At: Torre Guinigi, Lucca. Visit Torre Guinigi, the most important tower of Lucca. At the top of the tower is a hanging garden, from which you will take in a breathtaking view of Lucca and the surrounding countryside. •Stop At: Lucca's Duomo, Lucca. The main church of Lucca, the church of San Martino is the spiritual center of the city and a crucial stop on the Via Francigena. It was founded in the sixth century by San Frediano, a bishop originally from Ireland. After a long restoration period, it can now be admired in its full beauty. •Stop At: San Michele in Foro, Lucca. San Michele in Foro is one of the most beautiful churches located in the Roman center of Lucca. This basilica dates back to the year 1000 and conserves priceless works of art. A large marble statue depicts the Archangel Michael defeating the dragon, and according to tradition, the basilica is dedicated to him. •Stop At: The Wall of Lucca. Take a walk or ride a bike on top of the amazing wall of Lucca! * The visit to the tower of Pisa can be reserved at the time of booking, 15 days before the tour. The cost of €22 per person is not included. Entry is not allowed to children under the age of 8.

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What people are saying about Church of San Michele in Foro

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 23 reviews

Paola was extremely knowledgeable and kind throughout our tour and was pleasant and put us both at ease. We learned so much about Lucca and even that our apartment is located in the ancient amphitheater which I found really incredible. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Lucca and be sure to ask for Paola! Margo Brody and Deborah Adams

We met up with our guide, Anna - she was an amazing stortteller, and gave us a great tour around the center of Lucca. We had a 4 year Old girl with us, and she was totally focused. The idea with the notebook is really good, but it could have been even better if there also was notebooks for the ‘grown ups’.

Highly recommend! Our kids (8 and 5) were absolutely engaged the whole time. Our guide Lucia, who was born in Lucca had little activities for them to do before each sight along the way and present the tour to interest and engage the children. They LOVED it!

Paola is very knowledgeable, dedicated, friendly and loves her city of Lucca. This makes the city tour an enrichment for every vacationer here.

Great private guided tour of Lucca where everyone is catered for. All questions were patiently answered. Even the little one liked it.