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 Michele's tiered marble facade
Your local guide
Serena Pieri
View profile
Highlights
- A facade built in tiers
- Columns carved differently level by level
- An archangel crowning the top
- A legend of lost gold leaf
- Romanesque design read stage by stage
About this tour
This session studies the elaborately tiered facade of San Michele in Foro one level at a time. You see the carved columns change pattern as they rise, and the large statue of the Archangel Michael crowning the top. The camera moves slowly upward to match how the facade was actually built.
We work up the facade in stages, since the variation between tiers is easy to miss from street level. I explain the legend around the statue's gilding as we reach the top, and take questions on the carving throughout.
It suits anyone interested in Romanesque facade design specifically. It also pairs well with the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro 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
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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.
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Facade tiers 15 min
The camera moves up the facade level by level, each tier of columns carved in a slightly different pattern from the one below it.
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Archangel statue 15 min
At the very top, a large statue of the Archangel Michael catches the light, and I explain the legend that it was once covered in gold leaf.
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Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Lucca: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Garmugia (spring vegetable soup) 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 tiers and Archangel statue 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.
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Next: Sat 31 Oct · 8 seats left From 19,00 €
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