Urban Trekking - In the Footsteps of St. Francis

A historical, artistic, and naturalistic itinerary that evokes the universal Franciscan message of love, brotherhood, and connection with nature.

Corner of the upper façade of the Church of San Francesco. The façade is very linear, with a gabled profile and decoration of alternating bands of white and green marble. At the top is a large rose window.

Sunday October 25 2026 The annual event returns to Lucca to slowly discover the rich artistic, cultural, naturalistic, and food and wine heritage of Italy's cities and villages.

The theme of 23rd National Urban Trekking Day è Saint Francis 1226-2026: on the trail of the essential, a theme that fits ideally into the Franciscan celebrations, proposing a contemporary reinterpretation of his message of dialogue with nature, spirituality and community.

In the Footsteps of St. Francis in Lucca: Art, Nature, and Spirituality This is the title of the historical, artistic, and naturalistic itinerary we propose, to share, through walking and experiencing nature, the universal Franciscan message of love, brotherhood, and connection with the environment around us.

In 1228, just two years after the death of Saint Francis, the Friars Minor began construction of a small church in Lucca in an area then known as "Fratta," just outside the 13th-century walls. Over eight centuries of history, the San Francesco Complex has transformed its original appearance, becoming a jewel of art and culture in the city's most popular and authentic neighborhood. The urban itinerary begins right here, in Piazza San Francesco, and winds through this imposing convent complex, with the large church dedicated to the Saint and three luminous 14th-century cloisters filled with medieval tombs. The tour then continues along a stretch of the tree-lined promenade along the city walls, which in autumn offers the intense and vibrant colors of the foliage, to the small Botanical Garden, via a nature trail that connects two unique places. The visit to Lucca's most "precious" garden ends with a creative workshop to learn how to make "seed bombs," linked to special messages inspired by the Franciscan vision of the language of flowers, an expression of the Creator's beauty and greatness.

  • Travel time: 2 / 2,5 hours
  • length: 3 km
  • difficulty: low
  • starting point: Piazza San Francesco
  • Departure times: 11:00 am and 14:30 pm (1 group of max 20 people for each departure)

Free participation. For information and registration: tel. 0583 442213 - info@turismo.lucca.it or tel. 0583 583150 - turismolucca@luccaplus.it