About this property
Stepping through the private entrance off Via San Paolino into Dimora Dell’Arcangelo La Residenza feels like being welcomed into the heart of Lucca itself. The moment the lift doors part you’ll sense that this is somewhere truly distinctive: an elegantly restored patrician apartment in a 13th century palazzo, serenely elevated above the gentle hum of the piazza beyond. Through tall windows you’ll glimpse the marble splendour of the Church of San Michele in Foro opposite, its Romanesque Gothic façade glowing as daylight shifts from morning to dusk.
Inside, spaces feel both gracious and intimate. A magnificent dual aspect drawing room, dressed with soft, petrol blue sofas gathered around a gilded glass table, invites long conversations beneath an intricate coffered ceiling. The warm parquet underfoot leads you past a dining area where an artful chiaroscuro painting and crystal chandelier set a dramatic yet welcoming scene for dinner with friends. Adjacent, a snug study/TV room with rich Italian flair is perfect for unwinding with a film after exploring the city.
The traditional kitchen, painted in verdigris green and fitted with marble worktops, is both charming and practical; a place to prepare local produce for slow breakfasts and Tuscan feasts alike. Storage and utility spaces, including a laundry room, add a thoughtful layer of comfort for stays of any length.
Each bedroom has its own character. The principal suite feels romantic and calm with its generous proportions and marble bathroom; other doubles and a delightful single bedroom have been finished with refined textiles and en suite bathrooms in classic marbles and tiles.
While there’s no garden of your own here, the world beyond your windows is the old city of Lucca: cobbled lanes shaded by medieval walls, secret piazzas at every turn and cafés spilling into sunshine. At La Dimora Antica you won’t just stay in Lucca, you’ll live within its soul.
La Dimora Antica occupies a rare and enviable position right opposite Piazza San Michele, at the historic core of Lucca’s centro storico. From your front windows you’ll see the sculpted marble of one of the city’s most cherished churches, and just beyond lies a labyrinth of pedestrian friendly streets where centuries of local life unfold at a gentle pace.
Lucca itself is a city with layers of history. Its Roman origins are still visible in the contours of the street plan and the amphitheatre that gives Piazza dell’Anfiteatro its distinctive oval shape. Renaissance ingenuity created the broad, raised tree lined walls that now serve as parkland and a favourite promenade for residents and visitors alike. Hire bikes nearby, including tandems or six seat options, and circle the walls at your leisure, pausing to picnic beneath chestnut trees or simply to watch the light shift over terracotta rooftops.
Within moments of the palazzo you’ll find a range of cafés, bars and restaurants that reflect Lucca’s style of living so beautifully: relaxed yet refined. Buca di San Antonio and Da Rosolo, both mere steps away, are local favourites; Osteria Nova, Tomkat Enoteca and Ciacco Bistro offer memorable meals and convivial evenings. For self catered meals, small specialist shops abound: from artisan butchers and delicatessens to bakeries and wine merchants, everything you could need to create a market fresh lunch back at the apartment is on hand.
The cultural heritage here is extraordinary. Walk to the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi to admire classical art, explore the Roman remains preserved beneath modern streets at the Domus Romana, or climb Torre delle Ore for panoramic views that stretch to the Apuan Alps and beyond. Don’t miss Torre Guinigi, its rooftop garden a stunning perch on a summer afternoon.
There’s year round life and events to enjoy too. In summer the Lucca Summer Festival draws international acts to Piazza Napoleone, while the monthly Antiques Market brings over two hundred exhibitors into the heart of the city. And if you’re tempted by sea air, the Ligurian coast and the elegant beaches of Forte dei Marmi are an easy half hour drive west.
Here, every day invites discovery on foot, whether you’re lingering at a café, browsing for local olive oil in tiny boutiques, or losing yourself in one of Italy’s most welcoming and liveable cities.
Accommodation
The Dimora
Second Floor – Main Entrance
- Entrance hallway and internal corridor
- Magnificent dual-aspect main living room with windows facing the piazza, with sitting and dining areas
- Elegant study space / TV room-snug
- Traditional Tuscan kitchen / breakfast room with breakfast bar
- Master Bedroom 1: Upholstered double bed, walk-in wardrobe, alcove sitting area, ensuite bathroom with freestanding classical-style bathtub and separate shower
- Bedroom 2: Twin beds, walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom in vivid Giallo Siena marble with shower
- Bedroom 3: Double bed, built-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom with shower
- Bedroom 4: Single/day bed, large walk-in closet and ensuite with shower
- Laundry room with washing machine and dryer
- Guest bathroom
Additional Facilities
- Wine fridge
- Air-conditioning
- Wi-Fi
- Satellite TV