Piazza dell'Anfiteatro Plaza
Elliptical Roman-era square built on ancient amphitheatre.
Built on the footprint of a Roman amphitheatre, Lucca's oval Piazza dell'Anfiteatro houses cafés and shops within curved medieval buildings; visitors gather for evening aperitivi and walks along the city walls.
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro at a Glance#
Address: Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
About Piazza dell'Anfiteatro#
Piazza dell’Anfiteatro in Lucca is an oval urban square formed on the remains of a Roman amphitheatre; its current shape and building layout follow the arena’s original footprint from the early imperial period. The piazza is enclosed by a continuous ring of buildings whose lower walls sit on the amphitheatre’s ancient structure.
Today the oval square functions as a pedestrian plaza lined with cafes and shops that occupy medieval and later buildings adapted to the amphitheatre’s curve. The visible layout and repeating curve of terraces and facades make the site’s Roman origins apparent in plan and streetscape.
The piazza lies in the historic centre of Lucca within the city’s medieval walls and is easily reached on foot from other central landmarks and streets.
- Roman origins: The piazza’s distinctive oval shape follows the footprint of an ancient Roman amphitheatre dating to the early imperial period.
- Visitor use: The square is a compact pedestrian space at the heart of Lucca’s historic centre and is lined with restaurants and cafes built on the amphitheatre’s stone substructures.
What to See#
- Oval piazza (former amphitheatre): The oval public square that preserves the footprint of a 1st- or 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre, with buildings and arcades built on the ancient arena’s foundations.
- Surrounding buildings and amenities: Surrounding cafes, shops and residential buildings that follow the curve of the original amphitheatre walls and form the contemporary public space.
How to Get to Piazza dell'Anfiteatro#
Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is in Lucca’s historic centre. The town is about 30-40 minutes by train from Pisa Centrale; from Lucca station it is a 10-15 minute walk to the piazza.
Tips for Visiting Piazza dell'Anfiteatro#
- Stand on the city walls' higher walkway around sunset - the elliptical shape of the piazza catches the light beautifully.
- Visit early in the day to avoid the tour groups that arrive mid-morning.
- Seek out the cafés in the bordering lanes for a seat overlooking the piazza's oval geometry.
Best Time to Visit Piazza dell'Anfiteatro#
Visit in spring or autumn to combine comfortable weather with manageable visitor levels; summer is bustling and warm.
Weather & Climate near Piazza dell'Anfiteatro#
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (963 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 4° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 2.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 2° - 12° | 5° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 2.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Good | 4° - 15° | 8° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 7° - 18° | 12° | 94 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.3h |
| May | Excellent | 11° - 22° | 17° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.5h |
| June | Excellent | 14° - 26° | 20° | 55 mm | some cloud | 67% | 2.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.2h |
| July | Ideal | 17° - 29° | 23° | 31 mm | mostly sunny | 61% | 2.2 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.9h |
| August | Excellent | 17° - 29° | 23° | 58 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Excellent | 14° - 25° | 20° | 96 mm | some cloud | 70% | 2.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 132 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 9° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 2.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 5° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 2.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
