San Michele in Foro
Religious Site Medieval Lucca church built atop ancient forum
Lucca’s San Michele in Foro occupies the former Roman forum; its ornate marble façade, columns and statues attract photographers, and the church sits at the heart of Lucca’s market piazza.
San Michele in Foro is a medieval church in the centre of Pisa, built on the site of the ancient Roman forum. The church is best known for its richly decorated Romanesque façade topped by a sculptural group of the Archangel Michael.
Interior spaces include a nave and side chapels with historical altarpieces and liturgical furnishings; the building’s exterior decoration and sculptural program are the principal attractions. The church dates largely to the medieval period and reflects Pisa’s Romanesque artistic tradition.
Construction and decorative phases span the medieval centuries, with the present façade and structural form reflecting work completed between the 11th and 14th centuries. The site occupies a historic urban position in Pisa’s civic and religious centre.
San Michele in Foro is located in Pisa’s historic centre in the Tuscany region, on the square that occupies the former Roman forum and within easy walking distance of other central monuments.
- Façade: The ornate marble façade faces a small city square and is one of the most photographed features in the town of Lucca.
How to Get to San Michele in Foro #
In Lucca’s centro storico; a short walk from the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and the city’s main pedestrian streets. Best accessed on foot once inside the historic walls.
Tips for Visiting San Michele in Foro #
- Arrive early to see the morning light on the carved marble façade without tour groups.
- The piazza in front is small-stand back to appreciate the pediment and the way the church frames the square.
Best Time to Visit San Michele in Foro #
Spring and autumn offer the best light and fewer crowds to appreciate the church's sculptural exterior.
Weather & Climate near San Michele in Foro #
San Michele in Foro'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).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (132 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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