Piazza San Michele, Lucca Travel Guide

Piazza San Michele, the true heart of Lucca, stands on the site of the ancient Roman forum, at the intersection of the city's main Roman roads. Known also as Piazza delle Catene (Square of the Chains), it gets its name from the chains that connect the marble columns surrounding the square.Throughout history, Piazza San Michele has been the center of Lucca's administrative, political, and religious life. In the Middle Ages, Lucca was a silk capital of Europe, and the square became a meeting point for merchants and traders. Today, the square is surrounded by medieval buildings featuring round and pointed arches and mullioned windows. Impressive buildings such as the Palazzo Pretorio (1492) and Palazzo Gigli (1529) also border the square.The square's most prominent feature is the Church of San Michele in Foro, a Romanesque-style church with Gothic elements. The church's elaborate facade includes a large statue of Archangel Michael slaying a dragon. Legend says that on the brightest days, you can see the sparkle of an emerald embedded in the statue. The square also features a statue of Francesco Burlamacchi, a local politician from the 16th century.