Piazza Napoleone 2026

Piazza Napoleone, Lucca

Piazza Napoleone is the main square of Lucca, laid out inside the city's Renaissance walls on a site with a long history: the fourteenth-century Augusta fortress of Castruccio Castracani stood here before it was torn down by the population in 1370, and the later citadel gave way to the Palazzo Ducale. The square took its present name and shape under Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Napoleon's sister, who ruled Lucca between 1805 and 1815. Foundations of the buildings demolished in that era were uncovered in a 1998 dig and can be seen through glass blocks at the square's edge.

Each summer the piazza becomes the stage of the Lucca Summer Festival, which brings international artists to a temporary open-air arena in the heart of the walled city.

Getting there

The square lies inside Lucca's city walls, about 650 metres from Lucca railway station — roughly a ten-minute walk. The historic centre is largely pedestrian, so arriving by train and walking in is the simplest option.

Frequently asked questions

What events are held in Piazza Napoleone? The square hosts the Lucca Summer Festival, usually staged in June and July, along with other city events through the year.

Is Piazza Napoleone easy to reach by train? Yes — it is about a ten-minute walk from Lucca railway station, just inside the city walls.