Hundred Churches Pilgrimage
Self-Guided TourThis thematic walk explores the stunning density of religious architecture that earned the city its famous nickname. Focusing on the monumental Romanesque facades that dominate the piazzas, the route deciphers the rich, symbolic carvings of mythical beasts, saints, and hunting scenes etched into the marble. It also visits quieter, hidden chapels that offer a stark contrast to the grandeur of the main basilicas. The tour highlights the immense spiritual importance the city held as a primary stop on the medieval Via Francigena.
SURFACE BREAKDOWN
ELEVATION PROFILE
WHY WE LOVE THIS ROUTE
It offers a masterclass in medieval stonework and provides deep insight into the profound religious devotion that shaped the daily life and landscape of the city.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- • Be mindful of the strict dress codes enforced in the active churches; shoulders and knees must be covered to enter.
- • Bring a pair of binoculars to properly appreciate the incredible detail of the column carvings high up on the facade of San Michele.
- 1ATTRACTION
Basilica of San Frediano
BASILICA DI SAN FREDIANOA striking, ancient church defined by a massive, glittering golden mosaic on its facade and a vast, austere, unvaulted nave inside.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
OVERVIEW & STATS
- Established
- In 1112, making it 914 years old
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
- Architectural Styles
- Romanesque
WEB & AMENITIES
to next stop - 2ATTRACTION
St Michael in the Forum
CHIESA DI SAN MICHELE IN FOROA dizzying masterpiece of Pisan-Lucchese Romanesque architecture, where no two columns on its towering, multi-tiered facade are carved exactly alike.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
- Architectural Styles
- Romanesque
to next stop - 3ATTRACTION
Cathedral of St Martin
DUOMO DI SAN MARTINOThe sprawling, asymmetrical cathedral housing the miraculous Volto Santo relic and an intricate labyrinth carved directly into its entrance pillar.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
OVERVIEW & STATS
- Established
- In 1060, making it 966 years old
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
- Architectural Styles
- Romanesque
WEB & AMENITIES
to next stop - 4HIDDEN GEM
Church of Santa Maria della Rosa
CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA DELLA ROSAA small, exceptionally charming Gothic chapel that stands out for its delicate ornamentation and its incorporation of ancient Roman boundary walls.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
Other Self-Guided Tours
Check out other routes in Lucca
Silk Lords & Palaces Tour
This opulent journey dives into the immense wealth generated by the city's medieval and Renaissance silk trade, which funded an explosion of lavish civic construction. The route connects the towering strongholds of fiercely competitive merchant families with their later, highly decorated Baroque residences. It explores how economic power manifested itself in architecture, moving from imposing brick defensive towers to delicate, manicured pleasure gardens. You will walk through the corridors of power that kept the Republic independent for centuries.
view route
Unearthing the Roman Footprints
Peeling back the layers of Renaissance and medieval brickwork, this fascinating route reveals the stubborn persistence of the original Roman colony founded in 180 BC. It traces the ancient grid system where the primary thoroughfares, the cardo and decumanus, still dictate the flow of modern traffic. The journey explores how colossal imperial structures were ingeniously recycled into domestic housing and religious foundations. It is an archaeological treasure hunt right in the middle of a bustling, living city.
view route
Alternative Ways to Tour the City
Switch your pace. Discover curated routes by bike, foot, or self-guided exploration.
Medieval Heart & Hidden Squares
This highly atmospheric walk wanders aimlessly through the dense, pedestrianised core of the ancient city, where every turn reveals centuries of history. It traces narrow, shaded alleyways that suddenly open up into vast, sun-drenched piazzas surrounded by towering patrician houses. The route is designed to soak in the incredible density of Romanesque architecture and the lively hum of boutique shopping. It is a sensory journey filled with the smell of fresh bakeries and the visual splendour of ornate marble facades.
City Walls Circuit
This is a brilliantly effortless and entirely traffic-free loop along the top of the monumental fortifications that encircle the historic town. Shaded by a continuous canopy of magnificent old trees, the broad path offers stunning, elevated vantage points over the red-tiled roofs, medieval towers, and hidden palace gardens. It provides an immediate and joyous orientation to the city's layout. The ride is entirely flat and wide, making it wonderfully accessible for casual riders on rented city bikes.