Biking tours for groups
Discover Lucca by bike !!!
for groups up to 25 pax
Meeting place with the guide: Porta S. Pietro
30 minutes: Ride on the city walls (4 km) with stops on the bastions, where the guide will provide an introduction to the history of the town of Lucca and will point out some beautiful views of the century old towers and the charming gardens of a baroque style palace , Palazzo Pfanner.
Following your tour on the city walls, you begin your ride through the city. You will make a series of stops during your tour which include the foloowing places:
Piazza Cittadella
In the Piazza Cittadella you will be shown the statue dedicated to one of Italy’s greatest citizen, Giacomo Puccini, composer of many great operas such as: “Madama Butterfly” , “La Bohème”, “ The Girl of the golden west”,” Turandot “.
Piazza S. Michele
The old Roman forum, today the heart of Lucca, where children play and the men of Lucca - the Lucchesi - enjoy their free time discussing soccer and Italian politics. You will see the church of San Michele, with its elegant Pisan - Romanesque façade, rich in marble inlays, exuding a mysterious arabian Aura.
Basilica of San Frediano
The Basilica of S. Frediano has an incredible neo - Byzantin mosaic work dating back to the second half of the XIII century, crowns the lucchese Romanesque style façade covered in limestone and marble. The church was founded during the VIth century, dedicated to Finnian, an Irish bishop, later known as Frediano.
You will visit the interior, where the body of Saint Zita lies.
Santa Zita lived in Lucca during the XIII century and is known as the Patron Saint of housekeepers.
You will also see the Romanesque baptisimal font and “The Annunciation” by Andrea Della Robbia.
Anfiteather
What remains of the old roman amphiteatre has, today, turned into a unique example of an elliptical Piazza.
Guinigi tower
Montecchi and Capuleti…even the city of Lucca had its infighting families during the Middle Ages, that is why wealthy families, like the Guinigis, would built their own defense: a tower.
The Guinigi Tower is now one of the two towers still visible and certainly the most original, with its rooftop garden made up of 7 oak trees.
Via del Battistero
This quarter of the city with its narrow and twisted streets, contains numerous antique furniture shops. A message of elegance and style from the voice of our past.
San Martino Cathedral
Our group will visit the interior, which contains the Volto Santo, a mysterious antique crucifix, set in a precious Renaissance temple, which has been visited by million of religious pilgrims since the Middle ages. Known even to English Dukes, who used to take oaths on its name. It strongly unifies the faith of all the lucchesi in the city and… in the world.
Piazza Napoleone
Opened by Elisa Baciocchi, one of Napoleon’s three sisters.
Elisa was Princess of Lucca from 1805 until 1814.
During her reign, many areas of Lucca were to be renovated with an influence from Paris .
She ordered the demolition of the church of San Pietro Maggiore, in order to open a huge French Style Piazza in front of her own Residence, which is known today as Palazzo Ducale.