The square sits roughly three meters above the original ancient Roman street level due to centuries of debris accumulation.
The buildings encircling the plaza follow the exact footprint of the original outer wall of the Roman amphitheater.
In the Middle Ages, the space was known as 'Parlascio', a corruption of the Latin word 'paralysium' for amphitheater.
During the 19th century, architect Lorenzo Nottolini redesigned the square, clearing out internal structures that had encroached on the arena floor.
The tallest of the four original entrances is the only one that remains at its original Roman height.
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is a unique public square built directly upon the foundations of a 2nd-century Roman amphitheater. The elliptical shape of the plaza perfectly mirrors the original arena's floor plan. Medieval structures were constructed using the surviving Roman stone masonry as load-bearing supports. Access to the piazza is limited to four arched gateways, originally the entrances for spectators. The buildings surrounding the square feature varying heights and colors, reflecting centuries of adaptive residential reuse. It remains the functional and social center of Lucca, housing outdoor dining and local commerce.
From the center of the piazza looking upward toward the surrounding buildings to capture the full elliptical curve.
Walk the full perimeter to observe how the house walls curve to follow the ancient elliptical layout.
Look for the varying structural materials in the masonry, where Roman stone meets later medieval brickwork.
Visit the small shops tucked into the ground-floor arches for local artisan goods.
Avoid ordering full meals at the most central cafés, which often prioritize tourist foot traffic over food quality; walk a few streets away for authentic Tuscan cuisine.
