Lucca Italy. Italy

Lucca. Italy.

The city of Lucca is located in the Tuscany region, it is completely surrounded by a fortified wall and attracts tourists with its medieval atmosphere. Lucca is often called the city of towers and churches.

The founders of Lucca were most likely Ligurians. The name Lucca comes from the word "luck" - "bow" - marshy area.
In the 3rd century BC. The Romans came to Lucca, and the city became one of the largest military camps of the Roman Empire.
In ancient times, Lucca was famous for the fact that the meeting of the Triumvirate members: Caesar, Crassus and Pompey took place here.
In those days it was a rich and large city.
In the 13th century, Lucca became the largest shopping center Europe. Since 1440, the head of the local Signoria was Paolo Guinigi. At this time, Lucca reached its dawn, but after the death of Guinigi it became an ordinary city.
The city is surrounded by a defensive ring - majestic city walls, the length of which is 4.2 km. The wall was erected in the 16th-17th centuries.
This is the only city in Italy completely surrounded by walls, which protected the city from floods.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the architect Lorenzo Nottolini transformed the walls into a wide boulevard, planted in several rows of magnificent plane trees.
Along the perimeter of the wall there are eleven bastions of different shapes and sizes. Two of them, called Torrione del Bastardo and the Bastion of San Martino, have survived to this day in the same form as they were built in the 16th century.
From the railway station we will walk along viale Regina Margherita left to piazza Risorgimento, the oldest of the three gates of the city are located here - Porta San Pietro(1565-1566), this is the only gate through which foreigners were allowed to enter Lucca. They performed the function of passport and customs control.

At Place Napoleon (piazza Napoleone) located Ducal (People's) Palace (Palazzo Pubblico - Palazzo Ducale).
The Ducal Palace, in which Elisa Bonaparte, the sister of Napoleon Bonaparte, and her husband lived, was built by the architect Bartolomeo Ammanati in 1578-1582. and rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The palace houses an ancient library and an art gallery, and in the neighboring Manzi palace there is also an art gallery.

The city layout has been preserved since the times of the Roman camp - two streets intersected in the city center - one running from north to south (cardo), the second from east to west (decumanus). Those. the city plan was a rectangle or square, intersected like a chessboard by streets running parallel to the cardo and decumanus.
IN Lucca streets running from north to south - Via Cenami (via Cenami) and via Fillungo (via Fillungo), as well as Via San Paolino (via San Paolino), via Roma (via Roma) and via Santa Croce (via S.Croce) divided from west to east Lucca into four parts. Near their intersection, a square square (castrum) is formed - Forum - Piazza San Michele in Foro (piazza di San Michele in Foro).
Here it is Church of San Michele in Foro.

The church was built on the site of an ancient Roman forum in the 12th century.
The shape of the cathedral copies the shape big ship, the border of which is supported by arches on monolithic marble columns. The exterior of the church is characterized by a high façade decorated with a marble statue of the Archangel Michael. They say that the ring on his finger is encrusted with a real diamond, a gift from a devoted parishioner. And indeed, when dusk falls over the city, then from a certain place in the square, if you look closely at the hand of the saint, you can notice an unusual brightly luminous point.

Next door to San Michele is the house where he was born Giacomo Puccini (Corte San Lorenzo, 8). The monument to the great Italian composer stands right there in a small square. In the 15th-century house you can see portraits of Puccini, costumes created for his operas, and the piano at which he composed his last, unfinished opera, Turandot.

Not far - small piazza di San Salvatore, also called Mercy Square. Here is the same name Church of San Salvatore. The strict form of the church dates back to the 12th century.

If we go along Via Roma and then along Via Fallungo, we will come to Market Square(Piazza del Mercato or Piazza dell "Anfiteatro).
The square is located on the site of a former Roman amphitheater; only a rich city could afford to build an arena for gladiator fights.
For centuries, the marble blocks of the amphitheater walls were used to build residential, commercial premises and workshops of artisans, but the original shape of the structure in the form of an oval has been preserved.

The low arched passages in the square are the gates through which animals and gladiators entered the arena.

This is now the main shopping area Lucca.

Close to located Basilica of San Frediano.

This is the only church in the city built in the Romanesque style between 1112-1147. on the site of an older church.
Frediano was an Irish bishop Lucca in the first half of the 6th century, who founded a church here dedicated to Saint Vincent ( San Vincenzo), martyr from Spanish Zaragoza. When Frediano died and was buried in the same church, the church was named after Saints Frediano and Vincent (Ss. Frediano, Vincenzo) as a sign of respect for the bishop.
The façade of the church is decorated with a colorful mosaic of the Ascension of Christ. It can be seen that Christ ascends in a “magical egg.”
The inside of the basilica is richly decorated with white marble. It is worth paying attention to the Romanesque baptismal font (fountain lustral) from the 12th century by master Roberto. The font has an unusual shape and is decorated with marble figurines on biblical themes.

The tomb of San Frediano lies under the altar, which dates back to the 16th century.
In the chapel to the right of the altar there is Tomb of St. Zita.
Saint Zita was a popular saint in Lucca and rested forever in a glass coffin, over which angels hold a golden crucifix, and on the walls of the chapel are depicted episodes from her life. Saint Zita is considered the patroness of all domestic workers: lackeys, servants, waiters. A prayer is offered to her when keys or other household items are lost.

Medieval tower Hours (Torre delle Ore). The first mentions of the tower date back to the 14th century, due to the fact that the first clock was installed on it. The clock did not have a dial and marked the arrival of midnight with a ringing sound.
A little further is Tower and Palace of Guinigi (Torre Guinigi). (via Sant'Andrea 45)

The Guinigi Palace and the tower of the same name are a stunning example of medieval architecture Lucca. The Guinigi Palace is not just a mansion, but a whole town of brick buildings with towers and arched windows, in which lived numerous relatives of the Guingi family, the most noble family of the city - Paolo Guinigi even ruled the city in the first half of the 15th century.
Currently only one remains Guinigi Tower- one of the symbols of the city. The tower was built in 1384, trees grow at a height of 44 meters and offers a magnificent view of the city.
How the mysterious oak trees ended up at a height of 44 meters is unknown; historians also find it difficult to name the exact date of planting of the mini-garden, but in the chronicles of the 15th century. the oak trees were already in this place.

Climbing the tower - 3 euros. There are 230 steps leading to the observation deck.

Main church Lucca - Cathedral of San Martino (Duomo di San Martino), was built in the 6th century.
This is the first temple dedicated to Saint Martin. The cathedral was rebuilt several times; it acquired its modern appearance in the 12th-15th centuries.
Facade of the Cathedral Lucca- an excellent and attractive example of the Romanesque school of Pisan-Luccan architecture.

Around the central door is the life story of St. Martin.
At the entrance to the cathedral, on one of the pilasters on the right side, a faintly visible pattern is visible - "Labyrinth". Nearby there is an ancient inscription that says that this is “the same labyrinth that Daedalus built on Crete, from where anyone who enters will not be able to find a way out, except Theseus, who was saved by the love and thread of Ariadne.” They say that those sentenced to death were asked to find a way out of this schematic labyrinth the first time, and the one who could do this was given life. Such graphic symbols are also found in other Italian churches.

In the sacristy there is the sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto Guinigi by the famous master Jacopo Della Quercia.
Paolo Guinigi erected a sarcophagus to perpetuate the memory of his wife, who died at the age of 26. A small dog guards Ilaria's eternal sleep.
This tombstone is considered one of the most remarkable works of art kept in Lucca.
In the cathedral there is another work by the same master - a statue of John the Baptist.
In the center of the left nave is the Volto Santo Chapel (1484, designed by M. Civitali) - the Holy Face, where there is a unique wooden crucifix. According to ancient legend, the image of Christ was carved from Lebanese cedar by the evangelical Nicodemus under the guidance of angels.
Volto Santo is one of the symbols Lucca. For many centuries, the image has been a protective amulet that protects the city from misfortunes, and when the townspeople made long journeys, they took a copy of this crucifix with them.
Every year on September 13, a solemn procession takes place in his honor.

returning to Piazza Napoleone, where our route began, let’s pay attention to Church of Santi Giovanni and Reparata.
Before the construction of the Cathedral, the bishop sat here. The main part of the structure dates back to the 12th century, but more ancient elements have also been preserved. With the arrival of Napoleon the church was closed and reopened in 1828.
Frescoes from the 14th century have been preserved inside the church.

Lucca- a small town with a population of approx. 83 thousand in the region in .

In the 2nd century BC. Etruscan city Lucca, located in the valley of the Serchio River, became a Roman colony. IN ancient period the city became one of the largest military camps of the Roman Empire and was already quite rich, and by the 13th century Lucca became a major trading center in Europe and was one of the first to establish contacts with the countries of the East. The city remained independent until the arrival of Napoleon, who conquered the Tuscan lands and gave Lucca to his sister Elisa Baciocchi, who ruled here until 1814. Then the Luccan province briefly went to the Bourbons of Parma, in 1847 it was returned to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and 14 years later it became part of the united kingdom of Italy.

walls(XVI-XVII centuries). Their length is 4200 m.

You can spend half a day exploring Lucca.

Get your bearings:

From the station to piazza Ricasoli (Piazza Ricasoli), located south of the city walls, you can walk towards the northwest to piazza Risorgimento (Piazza Risorgimento) and through Gate of Porta San Pietro (Porta San Pietro) - inside the walls. Leads north towards the city center via Vittorio Veneto (via Vittorio Veneto) via piazza Napoleone (Piazza Napoleon) and further to piazza San Michele (Piazza San Michele).

Sights of Lucca:

The city is famous for its perfectly preserved defensive walls(XVI-XVII centuries). Their length is 4200 m. The powerful walls (height - 12 m, width - 35 m) and bastions are in good condition, partly due to the fact that the city has practically not taken part in military operations since their construction. At the end of the 19th century, an unusual city park was laid out on the defensive fortifications - several rows of plane trees were planted here, wide alleys were laid out, and children's and sports grounds were installed.

Lucca has many churches - it is sometimes called the “City of a Hundred Churches”. On piazza San Martino (Piazza San Martino) there is the most important of them - the cathedral CathedralSan Martino).

Tourist route in Lucca:

Starts from the station and passes by the main attractions of the city. The entire route - 3.5 km - can be completed in a couple of hours.

Construction of the temple began in 1063 by order of Bishop Anselm, the future Pope Alexander II. The Romanesque apse and bell tower have been preserved, but the nave and transepts were rebuilt in the 14th century, already in the Gothic style.

At the entrance to the cathedral, on one of the pilasters on the right side there is a carved labyrinth. The ancient Latin inscription to the right of it says that this is an image of a labyrinth built by Daedalus on Crete, from which no one could find a way out except Theseus, who was saved by the love and thread of Ariadne. Similar labyrinths are found in other Italian churches.

In the center of the right nave is Volto Santo Chapel(Chapella Volto Santo, Matteo Civitali, 1484), where the main relic of Lucca is kept - a wooden crucifix. According to ancient legend, the image of Christ was carved from Lebanese cedar by the evangelical Nicodemus, who was present at the crucifixion. The Volto Santo has been kept in Lucca since the 8th century, and every year, on September 13, a grand procession is dedicated to it.

Sarcophagus of Ilaria del Caretto(1406) is kept in the sacristy. The ruler of Lucca, Paolo Guinigi, commissioned it from the Siena sculptor Jacopo della Quercia to perpetuate the memory of his wife, who died in her youth. This marble tombstone is considered one of the most valuable works of art kept in Lucca. In the cathedral there is another work by the same master - a statue of John the Baptist, as well as works by Ghirlandaio, Tintoretto and Fra Bartolomeo.

The western and northern facades of the cathedral face respectively piazza San Martino (Piazza San Martino) and piazza Antelminelli (Piazza Antelminelli), from where via Duomo (via Duomo) leads to Church of San Giovanni(Chiesa di San Giovanni) on the square of the same name.

Chiesa di San Giovanni

The church was rebuilt many times and suffered greatly during the French occupation. on the façade (1589) a Romanesque portal from the 12th century has been preserved; in the interior, three naves are separated by antique Roman columns; the wooden coffered ceiling dates back to the 16th century.

Giglio Theater

Next door is piazza Giglio (Piazza Giglio), where the opera house of the same name is located Giglio Theater(Teatro del Giglio, 1819). At the beginning of the 19th century, this stage was extremely popular in Italy and was a worthy competitor to the theaters of San Carlo in Naples and La Scala in Milan.

The urban layout has been preserved since ancient times. Via Cenami (via Chenami) and via Fillungo (via Fillungo), going from north to south, as well as via S. Paolino (via San Paolino), via Roma (via Roma) and via Santa Croce (via Santa Croce) in the direction west - east divide Lucca into four parts. Near their intersection there was a city forum, on the site of which is now located piazzaSanMicheleinForo(Piazza San Michele in Foro), or simply Foro (Foro).

Chiesa di San Michele in Foro

There is a church here San Michele in Foro(Chiesa di San Michele in Foro), which was built over several centuries. The lower tier of the main facade is made in the Romanesque style, the remaining levels are decorated with Gothic loggias (13th century). The bell tower dates back to the 14th century.

On the main façade there is a marble sculpture of the Archangel Michael with metal wings. In the city they say that one wealthy parishioner, struck by the beauty of San Michele, donated an emerald to the church, the stone was inserted into the ring on the archangel’s hand, and now local residents and tourists gaze upward, hoping to catch a green reflection.

• San Michele in Foro
• Piazza San Michele in Foro
• 08.00–12.00, 15.00– 18.00

Casa di Puccini

Next to the Church of San Michele there is a m Puccini(Casa di Puccini), where the Italian composer was born in 1858.

Inside there is a museum dedicated to the life of the composer; documents, photographs and musical instruments are stored here.

• House of Puccini
• Corte San Lorenzo, 9
• summer Tue–Sun 10.00–18.00, winter Tue–Sun 10.00–13.00, 15.00–18.00

Torre della Ore

On the other side via Fillungo worth it Clock towerI(Torre della Ore, 50 m). The tower itself dates back to the 13th century, and the clock was made in 1754 in Geneva.

Guindji Tower

A little further is Guinigi Tower(Torre Guinigi, 1384), also known as the “Tower with a Garden,” which is considered one of the symbols of the city. Evergreen trees actually grow on its upper platform (41 m). Once upon a time, the tower itself and the palace to which it adjoins belonged to the Guinigi family, but are now owned by the municipality. At the end of the 1980s, this architectural monument was restored and opened to the public (230 steps lead to the observation deck).

• Guinigi Tower
• Via Sant'Andrea, 45
• daily March–Sept. 09.00–19.30, Oct. 10.00–18.00, Nov.–Feb. 10.00–16.30, 25 December closed

Romanesque Church of San Frediano

Romanesque church San Frediano(Chiesa di San Frediano, reconstruction XII century) - one of the most ancient temples in Lucca. The façade is decorated with a golden mosaic (Berlinghiero di Milanese, 13th century) depicting the ascension of Christ. In the interior, attention is drawn to the Romanesque font, the 16th-century organ and the altar, under which the relics of St. Fridian, bishop of Lucca (d. 588).

• Church of San Frediano
• Via degli Angeli, 19

Via Fillungo goes to piazza dell'Anfiteatro (Piazza del Anfiteatro). The Roman amphitheater is long gone - it was dismantled back in the Middle Ages, but the construction of the square exactly repeats the plan of the arena.

Palazzo Mansi

From the Church of San Frediano via San Giorgio (via San Giorgio) you can go to the intersection with via Galli Tassi(via Galli-Tassi), where it stands Palazzo Mansi (Palazzo Mansi, XVI century). Currently the building houses ( Pinacoteca Nazionale), where there are works by Tintoretto and Luca Giordano, in addition, you can see the rooms of the palazzo, where the furnishings of the 17th century have been preserved.

• Palazzo Mansi
• National Art Gallery
• Via Galli Tassi, 43
• daily 09.00–19.00, Sun, holidays. until 14.00,
• Jan 1, May 1 and Dec 25, closed Mon.

Lucca map:

Lucca is another city that everyone loves. I found some bourgeois research, and according to it, Lucca leaves tourists with the most positive emotions, leaving behind in this ranking. I confirm that the city is very pleasant and interesting, almost like a resort in its atmosphere. All this grace is difficult to formalize in words, but I will try to convey it visually in my report about Lucca.

Map of Lucca attractions:

I got to Lucca by train from, the cities are located very close, so the journey took me less than half an hour. If you come from, it will be a little longer, about an hour and a half. In general, the location of the city in terms of ordinary tourist routes Very convenient for Tuscany.

Already at the station I felt local grace. The environment was un-Italian clean, there were no homeless people or migrants, there was even a working fountain and a girl reading on the station square.

City wall of Lucca

Lucca is one of four unique Italian cities where it has completely (!) survived city ​​wall. This is clearly visible on the map above; the entire central historical part of Lucca is fenced around the perimeter.

I crossed the station square and saw... a blank wall. Fortunately, it was not too early, people were rushing to the center, and I followed them. It turned out that the narrow passage to the city was hidden behind this bend of the bastion wall.

At the top along the entire length of the wall there is big park. You can walk around the whole of Lucca without leaving the wall.

At nine in the morning the walls are quite deserted, mostly runners. This is a good distance for them; if you run around the whole of Lucca along the wall, you will get a run of four and a half kilometers.

Just beyond the wall I came across the local cathedral. It was unexpected, for some reason I thought that the main temple of Lucca should be in the center of the city, and not near the wall. It turned out that during the construction of the cathedral in the densely built-up center ancient city there was no room because... he found himself on the very outskirts of the city.

I wandered around the area a little in search of the main entrance to the Duomo.

Cathedral of St. Martina (12)

The first thought that came to me when I saw the façade of the cathedral: “Ha, yes, they licked it from Pisa.” And, indeed, the Lucca Cathedral was built to surpass its rival neighbor.

Admire the facade of St. Martin is endless, there are so many details here.

Image of a labyrinth. On the right is scribbled the inscription “the same labyrinth that Daedalus built on Crete, from where anyone who enters will not be able to find a way out, except Theseus, who was saved by the love and thread of Ariadne.” Lucca stood at the crossroads of pilgrimage routes, and the labyrinth was supposed to remind pilgrims of the difficulty of their path. Although in Lucca the scale of the labyrinth is much more modest.

As I already said, you can look at the facade endlessly, but I will limit myself to just one more picture. Above in the stone are depicted scenes from the life of St. Martin of Tours, and on the bottom row is a calendar and zodiac signs. Each month is symbolized by a scene from the life of peasants. I was especially touched by the picture where a man tramples grapes in a large vat.

The Roman guards came out slightly comical. Their fright is too theatrical.

The cathedral houses Lucca's main masterpiece. Messrs. Vasari and Muratov completely agree with me, and I will quote the latter.

The best thing in this city was created by a stranger, the great Siena sculptor Jacopo della Quercia. In the cathedral, this contemporary and worthy rival of Donatello made a tombstone for the young Ilaria del Caretto. A young woman rests on the lid of a sarcophagus in a sleeping or resting position, her beloved dog lies at her feet. Around the sarcophagus is a frieze of babies supporting very heavy garlands. Quercia didn’t add anything else; it was as if he deliberately even took away all the fun from the cupids, who so often entertain and bother with their smiles on the Florentine tombs. The harmony and seriousness of the monument is not disturbed in any way; the young woman is deeply immersed in the royal sleep of death. The grandeur of the theme is simply and powerfully expressed in the rhythm that guides the massive garlands of vines.

Ilaria is beautiful and seems to be asleep, it seems she is waiting for her prince, who would resurrect her with his kiss. But, perhaps, enough admiration and tenderness, otherwise the attentive reader will suspect something: “It’s amazing that he didn’t describe a single male dead man, as if men don’t die. But they, of course, die, and only travel blogger Koshak "He's not interested in them. He brought out a whole boarding house of stone dead women - and not old women (not a single one), but all young and pretty."

Iliria’s beloved dog guards her owner’s eternal sleep.

41. Church of Santi Giovanni e Reparata

In the same square as Lucca Cathedral is another remarkable church. By the way, it was at first that it was the local cathedral, and only in the 7th century did the department move to neighboring San Martino.

I didn’t have a goal to go to all the churches in Lucca. For myself, I identified the three most significant churches, and e-Reparata was not included in them.

The facade of the church, as you saw in the previous picture, is more modern, but some details have survived from Romanesque architecture, for example, l You on the façade were having a merry fuss.

I really like streets like this.

Despite the very compact area of ​​the city, there are a huge number of churches. Almost every second building is a temple. Most of them are not noted in tourist map and are awarded only a couple of lines on the wiki, for example, San Giusto, it’s only the 12th century, there’s a lot of that here.

I'm telling you, there's something about Lucca. Here, let's say, a flower pot.

And look how decent people are here.

20. Clock tower

Torre delle ore was built at the end of the 14th century. Of course, at that time it did not yet have a dial; the time was marked by the sound of bells. You can climb the tower, but I don’t recommend doing this, because... in Lucca there is a much more interesting tower, but more about it a little later.

The urban legend about the fatal beauty Lucida Mansi is associated with the Clock Tower. According to which Lucida sold her soul to the devil in exchange for 30 years of youth and beauty. When the time came to an end, Lucida ran up the tower to hold the tongue of the bell and stop the flow of time. But then a carriage engulfed in hellish flames appeared at the tower and took Lucida to the underworld. Allegedly, this carriage can still be seen at night on the city streets.

IN San Cristoforo The Leonardo da Vinci Museum was established.

7. San Michele in Foro

This is the second of the great churches of Lucca. It is located right in the center of Lucca on the site of the ancient forum (hence the name). Apparently, due to its central location and impressive view, in some reviews of Lucca I have come across the mistaken opinion that San Michele is the main temple of Lucca.

San Michele impressed me even more than the cathedral. The facade here is even more ornate, and some art critics (for example, Muratov) believe that it is even too elaborate.

At the very top of the church there is a marble statue of Archangel Michael. Allegedly, the ring on his finger contains a real diamond, a gift from a wealthy parishioner. And, when dusk falls over the city, then from a certain place in the square, if you look closely at the hand of the saint, you can notice an unusual brightly luminous point.

The imagination of the builders of San Michele worked perfectly, just look at these fabulous creatures on the bas-relief above the entrance.

But for some reason I didn’t remember the church inside after the gorgeous façade.

Only the bright painting by Filippino Lippi remained in my memory and on the flash drive. Who does it look like? On Botticelli, of course.

Sights of Lucca. The most important and interesting sights of Lucca - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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Cathedral of San Martino

Lucca, Piazza Antelminelli

The construction of the cathedral in Lucca was started in 1063 by Bishop Anselm (later Pope Alexander II). This Roman Catholic cathedral is an outstanding architectural masterpiece, although somewhat heterogeneous in appearance due to age and numerous modifications.

the very best

National Museum of Palazzo Mansi

Lucca, Via Galli Tassi, 43

Like National Museum Villa Guinigi, this museum occupies an old rich mansion, where in the first half of the 20th century. moved from the Palazzo Pubblico part of the general collection of the National Museum of Lucca. The beautiful building of the Palazzo serves as a reminder of the centuries-old history of the noble Mansi family.

• The most attractive part of Lucca for tourists can be considered the medieval part of the city - that is, everything that is surrounded by an ancient protective wall. If you adhere to historical chronology when exploring the city, you should start with the Roman amphitheater, which is located on Via Fillungo (the main entrance from Piazza Scarpellini). True, you won’t see an amphitheater as such here. Medieval houses grew up exactly where spectators stood thousands of years ago. And its arena is still used today as concert venue(Van Morrison and The Eagles once performed here).

  The Cathedral of San Martino, built in the 14th century, is a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture. Not only does it look great from the outside, but it also houses a wealth of priceless historical and cultural treasures inside. See the famous crucifix, which, according to legend, was carved from wood by Jesus Christ's contemporary, Nicodemus, and the sarcophagus of Illaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia.

  Be sure to find an image of the Cretan labyrinth on one of the columns of the cathedral portico: it is, apparently, even older than the similar one in Chartres Cathedral (France).

  The Guinigi Tower is also one of the must-see attractions in Lucca. Actually, you need to look not at the tower, but from it at the city. It’s extremely pleasant to do this, even despite the abundance of people who are always crowding at the top: firstly, oak trees were planted on the top of the tower about 400 years ago, providing shade, and secondly, the view itself is mesmerizing. It's definitely worth the climb up the 230 steps. The second tower you can climb in Lucca is the Clock Tower with the original clock still working. From here you will see a beautiful perspective of Fillungo Street.

  Via Fillungo is the main street in Lucca. It is full of bars, shops and other things that are so dear to the heart of a tourist.

  A single ticket gives you the opportunity to climb both towers at a discount, but they are located in different parts of the city.

  Lucca is full of beautiful churches, each of which is special. The Church of St. Michael the Archangel is located in the center of the former Roman forum, and it is decorated with an amazing facade with numerous relief columns, which can be viewed for an hour straight (if you have good optics). The Basilica of San Frediano is distinguished by a monumental gilded mosaic at the very top, on the façade. The Church of St. Alexander is the most modest of all, neoclassical, but it will be very interesting for anyone interested in history and architecture.

  Palazzo Pfanner is amazing: in the building itself only a few rooms are open to inspection, but the gardens can inspire admiration even among those who are completely indifferent to gardening.

  Palazzo

  The wonderful palazzos of Lucca also cannot be ignored. Between Villa Mansi and Villa Guinigi in the 20th century. The art collection of the National Museum of Lucca was distributed. Moreover, most of the collection’s objects are exhibited in the second mansion, while the first is predominantly a museum-like home of a noble and wealthy family. Palazzo Pfanner is amazing: in the building itself only a few rooms are open to inspection, but the gardens on its territory can inspire admiration even among those who are completely indifferent to gardening.

  The latter fully applies to the terraced gardens of Villa Garzoni. This stunning former estate is located, however, not in Lucca itself, but almost on the very border of the province of Lucca. The gardens were created in the mid-17th century. next to the old castle, and they also have the most beautiful " water garden» at the foot of the hill, under rows of balustrades.

Lucca is one of 4 Italian cities where the 16th century fortress wall has completely survived, and the only city where people have adapted it for living, turning it into a park. Stroll through the medieval streets of Lucca, climb the towers, sit in a cafe on the square, and feel the ancient spirit of the city.

Lucca Photo Leigh Trail

Lucca is a city of towers, luxurious palazzos and temples from the Trecento era, one of the most romantic corners of Tuscany. Behind the stone walls of its old center a leisurely patriarchal life flows.

5 things to do in Lucca

1. Get to know Lucca by walking along the ancient fortress walls surrounding Old city, which today have turned into a park.
2. Gain strength and patience to climb observation deck 44-meter Guinigi Tower. There, standing in the shade of the “oak grove,” enjoy the panorama of the city.
3. Honor the memory of the great composer Giacomo Puccini, a native of Lucca, by standing near his monument. Enter the museum to see scores, letters, personal belongings and the famous piano of the musician at which Turandot was written.
4. Drink coffee and watch passers-by while sitting in a cozy cafe on the square, built on the site of an ancient Roman amphitheater.
5. Find out if the building of the Church of San Michele in Foro really looks like a ship. Admire and appreciate the beauty and originality of the openwork loggias.

When is the best time to go?

Lucca is located in the Tuscan Riviera, among wooded hills, at the foot of the Pisa Mountains and the Apuan Alps. The city stands near the Serchio River, surrounded by a swampy, wet valley. The climate in winter is moderately warm and humid: rains mainly occur in November. Summers are dry and hot, with minimal precipitation falling in July. Average annual temperature +14.4°C; in July-August the heat reaches +28–29°C; in January the thermometer drops to +2°C.

Spring (April - May) - best time to visit Lucca. The city is awakening, everything is blooming, the heat has not yet set in, prices for hotels and services have not yet risen.

Attractions

Botanical Garden

Fortress wall

Cathedral of St. Martin

Church of St. John and Reparata

Lily Theater

Church of St. Michael at the Forum

Puccini House Museum

Palazzo Mansi Museum

Clock tower

Guinigi Tower

Amphitheater Square

Basilica of St. Fridian

Fortress wall

The old center of Lucca is surrounded by a fortification wall (Mura di Lucca) about 4.5 km long with 11 bastions, 6 external and 3 internal gates. It was built for defense against external enemies and protection from the waters of Serchio, which were advancing on the city. In the 19th century, the wall was planted with plane trees. Today, when viewed from above, it looks like a green velvet necklace encircling the city. This main park cities with bike paths and walking alleys. Restaurants are open in the former bastions, and there are street cafes at the top. Mura di Lucca often serves as the backdrop for concerts and street performances.

Amphitheater Square

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, photo r3dm@r

The ensemble of the Amphitheater Square (Piazza dell’Anfiteatro) was built on the site of a Roman amphitheater of the 2nd century. The oval space, which has retained the shape of the ancient gladiatorial arena, is surrounded by Renaissance buildings. There are 4 gates leading to the square.

Clock tower

Clock Tower (Torre delle ore), photo Graham Tiller

The main feature of Lucca is the watchtowers and church campaniles: here and there they rise among the tiled roofs. In the 14th century there were 250 such structures, only 130 have survived, many equipped with observation decks.

The highest is the 50-meter Clock Tower (Torre delle ore) (XIII century) with a belfry and a clock installed in 1754.

Guinigi Tower

Torre Guinigi, photo Joe Lewit

A unique structure is the Roman-Gothic Tower of Guinigi (Torre Guinigi) (1384). Holm oak trees were planted on top of this 44-meter building in the 15th century. The trees are still growing.

Cathedral of St. Martin

Cathedral of St. Martin (Cattedrale di San Martino) - a Gothic-style temple with a quadrangular bell tower, was founded in the 6th century; acquired its current appearance in the 11th century. Its façade, renovated in the 13th century, features amazing columns. Among them, no two are alike: each is decorated with unique carvings, reliefs, and inlays. Inside, paintings by Ghirlandaio and Tintoretto, Bartolomeo, Allori, sculptures by Giambologna and Civitali, and a marble tomb by Jacopo Quercia have been preserved.

Church of Saints John and Reparata

Church of Saints John and Reparata (Chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata), photo emzepe

In Piazza San Giovanni there is the Church of St. Reparata and next to it is the Baptistery of St. John. The temples were built at the end of the 12th century. on the site of a sanctuary from the ancient era (5th century). The complex of buildings of the Church of St. John and the Martyr Reparata (Chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata) combines features of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. Underneath it, archaeologists found the remains of ancient baths, an early Christian church and a crypt from the time of the Lombards.

Church of St. Michael in the Forum

Basilica of San Michele in Foro (Chiesa di San Michele in Foro), photo Gregory

The Church of San Michele in Foro (Chiesa di San Michele in Foro) is a temple in the Romano-Lombard style with 4 rows of openwork loggias. It was built in the 12th century on the site of an ancient forum, where in the 8th century. there was an older church. The building resembles a huge ship, on the rostrum of which rises a 4-meter figure of the Archangel Michael, framed by two angels.

Basilica of St. Fridian

Basilica of San Frediano, photo by Richard Barrett-Small

The Basilica of St. Frediano (Basilica di San Frediano) was founded in the 6th century and rebuilt in the 12th century in the Lombard style. There is a Byzantine mosaic above the portal. Inside is a Romanesque round marble font with elaborate bas-reliefs from the life of the prophet Moses. The relics of Saint Zita rest in San Fridiano.

Villa Torrigiani

Villa Torrigiani, photo Elena Battini

Villa Torrigiani is a striking example of secular baroque in Tuscany. Built in the 16th century for the Bonvisi family, reconstructed by order of the Marquis Nicolao Santini (ambassador of the Republic of Lucca at the court of Louis XIV) according to the model of the Versailles palaces.

Lily Theater

The Teatro del Giglio, founded in 1672, has undergone several renovations. The ruler of Tuscany, Marie-Louise Bourbon, named it after the flower of the emblem of the Bourbon dynasty. Today the theater hosts symphonic music concerts and dance programs; ballet, opera and drama performances.

National Museum of Villa Guinigi

The Villa Guinigi Museum (Museo nazionale di Villa Guinigi) on Via della Quarquonia contains architectural and sculptural exhibits, fossil finds, and paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries.

Museum in Mansi Palace

Palazzo Mansi Museum (Museo di Palazzo Mansi), photo sailko

The Palazzo Mansi Museum is a National Museum and Pinacoteca. The Renaissance Mansi Palace has preserved the original furnishings of the 16th–18th centuries. Antique fabrics, tapestries, weaving tools are exhibited here; The National Pinacoteca was opened with a collection of paintings by Leopold II, Duke of Tuscany. The collection includes works by Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese.

Puccini House Museum

Monument to Giacomo Puccini next to the house where the musician was born (Casa Natale di Giacomo Puccini), photo by vincenzo baldassarre

The house-museum of Giacomo Puccini (Puccini Museum) is located at Corte San Lorenzo 9. The composer was born here on December 22, 1858, and spent his childhood and youth. In the museum you will see Puccini’s personal belongings, originals of his letters and scores, and the piano at which the opera “Turandot” was written.

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden (Orto botanico comunale di Lucca), photo fabcom

The Botanical Garden (Orto botanico comunale di Lucca) was founded by decree of Marie Louise, Duchess of Lucca in 1820. About 200 species of plants are planted on 2 hectares; there is a pond where the mystical “Murabilya” shows take place in the fall.

History paragraph

City view, photo Marian Bulacu

The city was founded by the Etruscans in 218 BC. e. After 40 years, the settlement was occupied by the Romans, completely destroying it and rebuilding it. The empire fell under the onslaught of the Goths, then the Lombards and Franks came. After the fall of the Carolingians, Lucca became the capital of the Tuscan March. From 1378 until the arrival of Napoleon, it was an independent republic. After the expulsion of the Bonapartes, Lucca belonged to the Duchy of Tuscany, then to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Since 1861 it has become part of a united Italy.

On July 11–12, the city honors its heavenly patron saint, St. Paulinus. The Palio di San Paolino festival opens with a solemn procession with banners. The most striking event is the crossbowmen's tournament.

In July, Lucca hosts the rock music festival Lucca Summer Festival. It takes place in the open air on Napoleon Square.

In August – the international Festival Puccini.

September 13–14 is the main religious holiday – the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Residents come to venerate the relic - the Holy Face, the crucifix, which is kept in Cathedral. Believers from all city parishes take part in the candlelight procession.

Every year at the turn of October - November, Lucca hosts International festival comics (Lucca Comics and Games). Since 1993, he has covered other topics computer games and simulators. Over the course of 4 days, the festival brings together leading masters of the genre and many tourists.

Cuisine and restaurants

Local cuisine is simple and tasty. Among the soups, Garmucha spring soup with peas, onions, asparagus, artichokes, green beans in beef broth with pieces of meat and brisket is popular. Try Matuffi, a cornmeal porridge with mushrooms and Parmesan or meat sauce. Traditional main courses: Rovellina - beef, cut into thin slices, fried and stewed in a sauce of tomatoes, capers and herbs; pork with chestnut flour polenta; rabbit in a sauce of tomatoes, red peppers, olives, onions and garlic, herbs; fried kid with artichokes; trout from the Serchio River on a spit; dried cod (baccalà), fried with chickpeas; vegetable casseroles using cauliflower, green beans, spinach, artichokes and beets.

For those with a sweet tooth, try buccellato - a sweet pie with raisins and anise; necci - pancakes made from chestnut flour filled with ricotta; castagnaccio - pie made from chestnut flour with pine nuts and raisins.

Among the wines, try white and red Montecarlo DOC and Colline Lucchesi DOC, as well as the herbal liqueur Biadina, which is produced only in Lucca.

Traditional Tuscan cuisine can be enjoyed at Trattoria da Leo (Via Tegrimi 1). The best place to have a snack is at Forno A Vapore Amedeo Giusti (Via Santa Lucia 18/20). The Locanda Eremo del Gusto restaurant (Via Gelli 35/37 - Petrognano - Capannori) is known for its magnificent views of the city. Caffè di Simo (Via Fillungo, 58) serves the best breakfast (cappuccino + cornetto for €3-4) in an Art Nouveau interior. Restaurant Buca di Sant’Antonio (Via Cervia, 3) offers dishes haute cuisine. For dinner, head to the Vineria I Santi restaurant at Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, 17, or to Vecchia Trattoria Buralli at Piazza Sant’Agostino, 10.

Shopping

On the main shopping street of Lucca, photo mikewinburn

Every third weekend of the month, antique markets open in many of the city's squares and are considered the best in Italy.

Via Fillungo is the main shopping street of Lucca with boutiques Max Mara, Armani, Missoni, simple shops and souvenir shops.

The Enoteca Vanni store (Piazza del Salvatore 7) offers a wide selection of Italian wines, which you can taste before purchasing.

Not far from the city there is the Migliarino Natural Park (Parco naturale di Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli). On its territory there are different ecosystems - from wetlands to sand dunes. Its central part is occupied by a protected area with an area of ​​5,000 hectares - San Rossore. Rare birds and ungulates live there. The park complex includes the picturesque Lake Massaciuccoli - an equipped recreation area where you can relax and go boating.