It stands on the site of theancient Roman forum, at the perfect crossroads of the two main roads: the cardo maximus (from north to south, corresponding to the current via Fillungo, via Cenami and via S. Giovanni) and the decumanus maximus (from west to east, today's via S. Paolino, via Roma and via S. Croce).
From its origins, the centre of administrative, political and religious power of the Roman colony, at the heart of the medieval townLucca became the silk capital of Europe in the Middle Ages, with the development of manufacturing techniques and trade. The square became a hub for doing business and meeting people, at the money changers' stalls or in the textile merchants' shops. Among the architecture of the buildings flanking the square, medieval houses with round and pointed arches, brick facings, and mullioned windows are easily recognizable.
In the northeast corner, the large Romanesque church of Saint Michael in the Forum, whose construction dates back to the 8th century (then modified to its current form starting in 1070 at the behest of Pope Alexander II). At the top of the façade is another jewel dear to the people of Lucca: the marble statue of the Archangel Michael, victorious as he slays the dragon with his sword.
In Renaissance The square continues to be the political and business center, as evidenced by the imposing buildings erected there. At the corner of Via Vittorio Veneto stands Palazzo Pretorio, built in 1492, once the seat of the mayor and his judicial offices. Under the large loggia are several works of art linked to famous Lucca figures, such as the bronze statue by sculptor-architect Matteo Civitali and the bust of explorer Carlo Piaggia. The palace's loggia hosts contemporary art exhibitions and food and wine events.
In the 18th century, the pavement of Piazza San Michele, paved with herringbone bricks in the 15th century, was raised with large gray stone squares and surrounded by marble columns joined by metal chains. This is how we still see it today. Since 1863, the center of the square has been occupied by a large statue depicting Francesco Burlamacchi, a 16th-century politician from Lucca, sculpted by Ulisse Cambi.
Small testimonies of the long history of this place can also be found in the old signs from the early 900s of pharmacies, jewellers, cafés (maintained even if today a different type of goods is sold) or the Art Nouveau cherubs above the shop windows on the southern side of the square.