San Michele in Foro, Lucca

Piazza San Michele was the very center of the city during the Roman's age. Its perfect squared shape is due to the fact that it was the junction of the "cardo" and the "decumanus", the main straight streets of a Roman's town. At the center of this square there is the church of San Michele in Foro (usually "in Foro" is neglected, so call it just San Michele).
In December there is a market that covers all the square and where you can find anything you want (food, clothes, shoes, handcrafts, ...).
Beautiful medieval buildings surround this square. Behind the rear of the church there is a bakery/pastry shop called "Taddeucci". Here you can find typical cakes of Lucca like "treccia", "buccellato" and "torta di erbe".

This church, built in the 12th century, is the best Romanesque façade in Lucca. It is likely the most photographed building in Lucca. Every column is different with some of the columns being elaborately carved, some twisted, and others shaped like a striped pole. The archangel at the top has hinged wings that may be retracted.

The church stands in the old Roman Forum, where Caesar, Pompey and Crassus held a fateful meeting in 56 BC. Compared to other Italian churches, the interior is a little disappointing.

Piazza San Michele is located on the site of the Roman forum and has been the centre of the town for centuries. There are fine buildings of various ages from the 13th century onwards. The square was repaved in the 18th century, and the columns and chains date from then. When we visited in September 2002 there was a market in the square, but in July 2004, the square was clear, and there was a procession through the town for St Paul’s day.

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San Michele in Foro is an impressive church in the heart of Lucca, that looks like is only ever been half built!

It is has a huge marble face that kind of looks like something off a film set, as it is very tall compared to the rear of the church. There is also a tall bell tower.

It certainly dominates the Piazza San Michele and is a must see on a visit to Lucca, even if it is just to take a quick photo.

The church of San Michele in Foro, raised in the 12th Century, is situated on the medieval piazza San Michele.
The facade of this extraordinarily beautiful church consists of five rows of columns - each single column different.

Interior of the church is also very fascinating and interesting. There are precious works of art some from 12th, 14th and 15th century. There you could find a works of Filippino Lippi, Andrea della Robbia and other great artists.

The church of S. Michele in Foro is spectaculars and really impressive! The façade is higher then the roof and decorated by varied columns and rose-windows. Every single column is different; some are elaborately carved, some twisted and spiraling, others are like striped sweets. It looks like the whole church is built of the air, not of the stone. The church was built in 12th century over the ruins of a previous church and on the area of the ancient Forum of Roman Lucca. The great Archangel Michael crowns the top of the façade. I had to get back few times to see that church again and again.

S. Michele in Foro lies in the ancient Roman's urban center. It reminds you the architecture of the Dom, but it is even bigger and georgeos. The romanic interior is lighter and very interesting.