Piazza Napoleone and the Ducal Palace

Napoleon Square and the Ducal Palace, in Lucca

Napoleon Square, the largest of Lucca, is dominated by the imposing Ducal Palace, former seat of power. The Lucca audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this monumental square, linked to the sister of Napoleon who ruled over the town.

The great square of power and the Napoleonic era

Napoleon Square, which the people of Lucca also call the Piazza Grande, is the vastest and most solemn of the town. It was laid out at the beginning of the nineteenth century, at the time when Lucca was governed by Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, sister of Napoleon, who made it a principality and endowed the town with this monumental space, hence its name. The square is dominated by the imposing Ducal Palace, former seat of the lords then of the rulers of Lucca, a vast building with noble architecture that today shelters institutions. Shaded with plane trees and lined with cafés, the square is a place of gathering and events. It testifies to the political past of Lucca and its Napoleonic history.

What to see

Here you enjoy the vastest square of Lucca, shaded with plane trees and lined with cafés, dominated by the imposing Ducal Palace, former seat of power, laid out in the Napoleonic era by Elisa Bonaparte. Napoleon Square testifies to the political past of the town. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Napoleon Square lies in the heart of Lucca, reachable on foot. It is a public square freely accessible; the Ducal Palace shelters institutions and its access follows its own conditions. The square hosts markets and events, and is particularly pleasant in the shade of the plane trees.

Why is the square called Napoleon Square in Lucca?

Because it was laid out at the beginning of the nineteenth century under the government of Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, sister of Napoleon, who made Lucca a principality and endowed the town with this monumental space.

Where is Napoleon Square?

In the heart of Lucca, in Italy.