Walking tour through history, lake and culture
5 February 2026
Piazza XX Settembre: the historical and architectural heart of Lecco
In the heart of Lecco's city centre, amidst elegant cafés and 19th-century buildings, opens Piazza XX Settembre, a place that is not just a thoroughfare, but a true urban living room, steeped in history and vitality. This square is much more than a public space: it is a symbol of modern Lecco, a crossroads between Lombard tradition and the vibrancy of a city that has managed to reinvent itself without losing its soul.
The name of the square recalls the historic date of 20 September 1870, the day of the Breach of Porta Pia and the annexation of Rome to the Kingdom of Italy, but it is in its architectural layout that the distinctive mark of a precise and refined era can be read. Conferring upon it the elegant identity that still distinguishes it today was Giuseppe Bovara, an architect from Lecco and one of the most important of the 19th century, known for his substantial contributions to the city's urban planning.
It is precisely in Bovara that the project for porticos lining the square, an architectural element that gives it that touch of understated and functional classicism typical of Lombardy cities. The porticoes not only provide shelter from rain or sun, but they represent an invitation to slow down, to observe, to linger. Beneath the arches, historic shops, bookshops, art galleries, and cafes line the way, which, especially in the summer months, come alive with outdoor tables and cheerful conversations, making the piazza a meeting place for different generations.
The square also overlooks some of the The most significant historic palaces of Lecco, such as the Palace of Fears – now a museum and venue for temporary exhibitions – and the nearby Society Theatre, another neoclassical gem conceived by Bovara himself. The whole creates an aesthetic and functional continuum, which speaks of a cultured city, designed with vision and a sense of beauty.
but Piazza XX Settembre is not just architecture and strolling: it is also Civic memory and commemoration. Public demonstrations, concerts, cultural events, Christmas markets and political rallies are held here. It is a place that lives in the present without forgetting the past, where the air is filled with the scent of culture and citizenship.
Particularly evocative is the visual connection What the square offers: Walking under the arcades and looking north, the profile of the Resegone mountain frames the horizon, almost as a reminder that Lecco is a city of the lake, but also of the mountains, where man has been able to engage harmoniously with nature.
It is not uncommon, on market days or during town fairs, to see groups of tourists mingling with residents, all drawn by the liveliness and elegance of this square. And it is precisely this ability to combine local identity with tourist hospitality that makes it special.
Piazza XX Settembre is today one of the favoured destinations to begin exploring Lecco., a perfect starting point to continue towards Via Cavour, the lakefront, or the Pescarenico district. Walking here is like stepping through a live page of the city's history, made of stone, arcades, and shared memory.
Anyone visiting Lecco must make a point of stopping in this square, perhaps to sip a coffee under the arcades, admire the architectural details, or simply breathe in that human-scale city atmosphere that Giuseppe Bovara – with his sober and bright architecture – had already envisioned almost two centuries ago.
When you visit a website, information may be stored or retrieved and saved in the cache of your browser, mainly in the form of cookies. Check your cookie services here.
