Photos: Ingo Mehling, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Francesco Tosoni, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Streit, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1772-1839 Fischer, Wilhelm, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo credits
Photos: Ingo Mehling, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Francesco Tosoni, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Streit, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1772-1839 Fischer, Wilhelm, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
San Frediano's golden mosaic
Your local guide
Beatrice Orsini
View profile
Highlights
- A facade covered in gold mosaic
- Light changing the mosaic through the day
- A plain base beneath a golden top
- Romanesque origins, briefly explained
- One of Lucca's more striking exteriors
About this tour
This session looks at the large gold mosaic covering the upper facade of San Frediano, one of the more striking exteriors in Lucca. You see it up close in changing light, and the plain lower facade that makes the golden section stand out by contrast. The camera angles carefully to catch the gold properly.
We wait for the light to catch the mosaic properly before moving in close, since the angle changes how it reads considerably. I explain a little about the church's Romanesque origins as we step back, and take questions as we go.
It suits anyone with an interest in mosaic work or church facades specifically. It also pairs well with the Puccini session nearby.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
-
Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Lucca before heading out.
-
Facade mosaic 15 min
The camera angles up to catch the gold mosaic covering the upper facade, and I explain how the light changes its appearance through the day.
-
Church exterior 15 min
Stepping back, you see the plain lower facade against the golden upper section, a contrast that makes the mosaic stand out even more.
-
Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Lucca: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
-
A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Buccellato di Lucca (aniseed sweet bread) and Le Mura, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Rome time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Lucca, showing you Facade mosaic and Church exterior live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need any background in art?
No. The guide explains what matters as you go, whatever you already know or do not.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Lucca live with my phone.
Times shown in Rome time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Reviews appear here after travellers have completed this tour.
How reviews work
Only travellers who booked and paid through Locals Guide and whose tour took place can leave a review, within 60 days of the tour. Every review is marked "Verified booking". We check reviews before they appear and publish positive and negative ones alike; we remove only reviews that break our rules (insults, personal data, unrelated content). Guides cannot pay for, edit or hide reviews, and ratings are the plain average of all published reviews.
Next: Sat 21 Nov · 8 seats left From 19,00 €
Book