Palazzo Ducale (Palace of the Doges), Lucca

The Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale) stands as a testament to Lucca’s layered history, reflecting centuries of political shifts and architectural refinements. Located in the heart of the city, the palace occupies the former site of the Fortezza Augustan, once home to the feared condottiero Castruccio Castracani. His grand residence—perhaps designed by Giotto—was demolished in 1370 following a popular uprising.

The structure was later repurposed as a fortified residence by Paolo Guinigi in 1401, but his fall in 1429 led to another partial dismantling. Eventually, the remains were transformed into the Palazzo Pubblico, serving as Lucca’s governmental headquarters. The palace saw another chapter of aristocratic splendor when Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon’s sister, took residence here. Following the Unification of Italy in 1861, it passed into the hands of the province of Lucca.

The palace’s present-day grandeur is largely attributed to Bartolomeo Ammannati, who redesigned its façade in 1578. The right-wing, a later addition by Francesco Pini in 1728, reflects the influence of Filippo Juvarra. In the 19th century, Lorenzo Nottolini, the ducal architect, further enriched the interiors, leaving behind a monumental staircase leading to a grand gallery of statues.

Among the palace’s striking features is its central courtyard, which remains unfinished but boasts a double portico and a central statue of the Lucchese lawyer Francesco Carrara, sculpted by Augusto Passaglia. The Cortile degli Svizzeri, another incomplete courtyard, references the Swiss Guard who once served the Republic of Lucca and is distinguished by Ammannati’s rusticated stonework.

Inside, the Hall of the General Council of the Republic preserves a Flemish painting and a fresco symbolizing Lucchese's freedom. The Ammannati Loggia, perched above the Loggia delle Guardie, showcases grotesque decorations and stucco work. The Staffieri Hall dazzles with frescoes by Luigi Ademollo. Until 1977, the palace housed Lucca’s National Gallery now relocated to Villa Guinigi.

Today, the Ducal Palace remains an enduring symbol of Lucca’s political and artistic evolution—a grand space where Renaissance refinement meets the echoes of medieval power struggles.