republic · Italy
Republic of Lucca
Origins
Lucca had been the capital of the march of Tuscany, and a commune of consuls emerged in the late 11th century. In 1160 Duke Welf VI granted the city wide rights, confirming its self-government over the surrounding district.
Rule and society
Lucca prospered from silk weaving and banking, and venerated the Volto Santo crucifix. Castruccio Castracani made himself lord from 1316 to 1328 and won a large state, but after his death the city was sold among foreign lords until Emperor Charles IV restored its freedom in 1369. Paolo Guinigi ruled as lord from 1400 to 1430. Afterwards an oligarchy of merchant families governed, building the massive walls of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Decline and legacy
The French occupied Lucca in 1799, and in 1805 Napoleon replaced the republic with the Principality of Lucca and Piombino for his sister Elisa.
Lineage
On the connections map
Open the full map →Connections (3)
- Republic of Lucca was part of Holy Roman Empire1160 CE – 1799 CE
- Republic of Lucca was conquered by Republic of Pisa1342 CE – 1369 CE
- Republic of Lucca was a protectorate of French First Republic1799 CE – 1805 CE
Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Republic of Lucca. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-lucca
- MLA
- “Republic of Lucca.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-lucca. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Republic of Lucca.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-lucca.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Republic of Lucca’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-lucca (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻