The Tower is part of an imposing construction commissioned by the Guinigi family, rich and powerful merchants of Lucca in the 14th century, now the only testimony of the over 250 towers that enriched the city in medieval times.
It is 44.25 metres high, the top is a hanging garden where large holm oaks, now centuries old, have been planted.
On the Guinigi Tower you have to go up because it is too particular: where else do you see trees on top of a tower? They were wanted by the Guinigi family as a sign of rebirth, to crown a tower that served to demonstrate the importance and power of the family. Go up in the morning at 9:30 am as soon as it opens because at the top there is very little space to turn for "fault" of the walled box that contains the seven plants of holm oak, and if there are many people you can not move (let alone if you catch a group!). The tower is 45 meters high and you have to climb 230 steps to get to the top.
