Lucca

Lucca

Description:  Ancient town of Tuscany because of its intact medieval urban layout. The Town features tower-houses and winding lanes, as well as unexpected open spaces with grand Romanesque buildings. Lucca is another city where time seems to have stood still. Take a walk along the 4 km of 16th century ramparts that still surround the old quarter, and take in glorious panoramas of Lucca's famous towered houses, quaint alleyways and ancient churches.

Sights and Attractions:  The walls: The Town of Lucca is   characterized by the large fortified walls transformed to a shaded walkway. The walls were turned into a public garden. The beauty of the trees on the ramparts, the striking view of the city, the surrounding countryside, and the architectural structure all contribute to make the park a unique work. The entire walk all around the 4 km ramparts takes roughly two hours • Piazza Napoleone, dominated by the imposing Palazzo Ducale •  SS. Giovanni e Reparata: 12th century church preserving the original relief portal • The Cathedral, which has Romanesque marmoreous façade, beautiful portico  bell tower. Many works of art by the sculptor Nicola Pisano, Tintoretto and Giambologna. On the altar "Madonna with saints" by Domenico Ghirlandaio. The sacristy preserves the famous masterpiece "Monumento funebre di Ilaria del Carretto", (1408) by Jacopo della Quercia •   Via Guinigi: the most typical and suggestive street of Lucca, a fabulous shopping street, with several jewelry stores, boutiques and other nice shops • Piazza San Michele: It is right in the town center, offering a great panorama of medieval homes • San Michele in Foro: The church has high façade richly decorated. Many works of art • Piazza Anfiteatro or Piazza del Mercato,  is characterized by its round shape and surrounded by medieval brick buildings, creating a setting full of history • Casa natale di Giacomo Puccini: The birthplace of the famous composer of "La  Boheme" and "Turandot". Very interesting collection of old letters and manuscripts. It houses also the well conserved piano of the composer. 

Museums: Villa Guinigi National Museum, which is housed in a 15th century villa and exclusively preserves works produced for the town of Lucca and its territory by local or foreign artists • Museum of the Cathedral: preserving church ornaments, art works, paintings, sculptures and manuscripts • Palazzo Mansi: Seat of National Art gallery, it features beautiful interiors with frescoes. Of note is the "Salone della Musica" (Hall of Music). The art gallery hosts many paintings of famous Italian and foreign painters. Works by Beccafumi, Bronzino, Salimbeni, Andrea del Sarto, Veronese, Tintoretto, Salvator Rosa, Domenichino, Guido Reni etc. On the second floor is a collection of textile materials dating back to the end of the 18th century
Events: Arti e Mestieri outdoor monthly market (last Sunday) of arts and crafts by local crafts people • Lucca's Antique Market takes place on the 3rd weekend of every month, Near Cathedral San Martino (Duomo),  9:00am - 7:00pm. - Participate  about 200 exhibitors.

 

Typical products: Olive Oil, wine, bread, salami, cheeses, chestnut products.

Market Day: Friday in Corso Garibaldi and all Mondays near the Football ground

Surrounding smaller towns and hamlets: Antraccoli, Aquilea, Arancio, Arliano, Arsina, Balbano, Cappella, Carignano, Castagnori, Castiglioncello, Cerasomma, Chiatri, Ciciana, Deccio di Brancoli, Fagnano, Farneta, Gattaiola, Gignano di Brancoli, Maggiano, Massa Pisana, Mastiano, Meati, Monte San Quirico, Montuolo, Mutigliano, Mugnano, Nave, Nozzano, Nozzano San Pietro, Nozzano Vecchia, Ombreglio di Brancoli, Palmata, Piaggione, Piazza di Brancoli, Piazzano, Picciorana, Pieve di Brancoli, Pieve Santo Stefano, Ponte a Moriano, Ponte del Giglio, Ponte San Pietro, Pontetetto, Saltocchio, San Cassiano a Vico, San Cassiano di Moriano, San Concordio di Moriano, San Donato, San Filippo, San Gemignano, San Giusto di Brancoli, San Lorenzo a Vaccoli, San Lorenzo di Moriano, San Macario in monte, San Macario in piano, San Michele di Moriano, San Michele in Escheto, San Pancazio, San Pietro a Vico, San Quirico di Moriano, San Vito, Sant'Alessio, Sant'Angelo in Campo, Sant'Ilario di Brancoli, Santa Maria a colle, Santa Maria del giudice, Santissima Annunziata, Santo Stefano di Moriano, Sesto di Moriano, Sorbano del giudice, Sorbano del vescovo, Stabbiano, Tempagnano di Lunata, Torre, Torre alla Maddalena, Torre Alta, Tramonte, Tramonte di Brancoli, Vallebuia, Vecoli, Vicopelago, Vinchiana

Neighboring towns: Borgo a Mozzano, Camaiore, Capannori, Massarosa, Pescaglia, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano

Nearest airport: Pisa  Airport

Nearest train station: The closest railway stations are Empoli, Pisa and Florence: Train schedules

Public transportation: website

Distances: Florence 76 km, Forte dei Marmi 49, Pisa 25, San Gimignano 78, San Miniato 43, Siena 140 km, Rome 350 km, Viareggio 30.