Piazza Cittadella

Piazza Cittadella is a small square in Lucca, located between Via di Poggio and Via San Paolino, about 50 meters away from Piazza San Michele and the Church of San Michele in Foro.

SHORT HISTORY

Piazza Cittadella was initially called Piazza Di Poggio, due to the residence of the Di Poggio family, located in the square, one of the most powerful families of Lucca during the Middle Ages.

In 1522, took place the Conspiracy of the Poggi, when the Di Poggio family challenged other patrician families of Lucca for power. The Di Poggio family was defeated, its members were exiled, and the name of the square was changed to Piazza del Grano.

Subsequently, the square was named Piazza Cittadella, in honor of another powerful family of Lucca, the Cittadella family. Their residence, Palazzo Cittadella, located in the square, was known at the beginning of the 17th century for its large terrace with a hanging garden.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

Piazza Cittadella is famous above all for the presence of the house, now a museum, in which the great composer Giacomo Puccini was born, located in the northeastern corner of the square.

In the center of the square, there is also a bronze statue depicting Puccini, sitting on a chair, smoking a cigarette.

HOW TO GET THERE

Piazza Cittadella is located about 950 meters away from the Lucca railway station. The closest bus stop is San Salvatore, located about 200 meters away, in Piazza San Salvatore, on the bus Line LAM Verde.