If you can make it happen that would be great. Easy day trip from pisa (or vice versa). Not sure why but I started to dream of living there. San Frediano's facade is decorated with a stunning 13th-century Byzantine-style mosaic. We have reviews of the best places to see in Lucca. The most remarkable of these to me are the tall buildings that run around where the city’s amphitheatre once stood. The historic city is surrounded by thick and high fortifications that date back to the Middle Ages. Lucca, with Florence and Siena, is among the best Renaissance cities in Tuscany. I rode my bike to brunch Monday morning (it was a holiday – Happy German reunification!) This is because most buildings in Lucca are several stories high, restricting your view. In fact, I was even able to stay in a B&B on the outer ring of the amphitheatre. It not only means there are plenty of viewpoints that won’t crowd up, but the skyline is full of historic towers emerging from the rooftops. One of the highlights I stumbled on accidentally was the charming museum dedicated to the opera composer Puccini, in his former home. The narrow, nearly carless, streets were lovely and the walk around the walls was too. This is the perfect place to stay for first-time visitors, as well as for those planning to explore Tuscany. Of course, this will come at no extra cost to you and helps keep this site running. The jagged walls that encircle Lucca have a pretty famous architect, the one and only Leonardo Da Vinci. Would love to visit Lucca soon! Here you find powerhouse destinations like Florence, Siena and Pisa that are each exceedingly popular with tourists to Europe. I always enjoy hearing about people planning a trip to retrace their roots like this. Built in the 16th and 17th century, the walls are so broad that there is a road that loops around the top. Mostly Europeans but a hidden gem to all others. Disclosure: This post (probably) contains affiliate links. The walls encircling the old town remain intact, even as the city expanded and modernized, unusual for cities in the region. He built a happy life for his family in his new country. I went on to become a street artist in Florence, doing Portraits in the 80’s, but I always visited Lucca. What’s also great is that you can stay in the heart of the old town, in converted residences. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli is one of the most famous and exciting museums in Italy. In my two trips to Italy in the last few years, there are few places I’ve been to more than once. The walls are all accessed by ramps but I can’t say the same for certain for the main museums and certainly not the towers. This almost perfectly preserved jewel of medieval architecture and buildings, emanates charm and shows layers of history from every corner of its narrow winding streets. As for your questions regarding accessibility, I must admit that this concern has been a blindspot of mine. Lucca is a good city for shopping. The shopping wasn’t bad either. A clear favourite of mine has to be the Torre Guinigi, in my mind the most awe-inspiring historic tower in the world. Being an untouched historical city, my expectations would be quite low. I NEED to just sell everything and GO BACK! Martha Bakerjian is an Italian travel expert who uses her home in northern Tuscany as a base for her in-depth explorations of the country. Yes, where the ancient amphitheatre once lay, now a ring of houses stand, preserving the oval plaza within. No, I think that honour goes to their small neighbour, the ever-lovable Lucca. How do you think it compares to San San Gimignano’s towers? I was there in 1971 and 1981 with John Delmonte’s Group. This article is now available as a mobile app. Found it one day coming down mountain road where marble is still mined. Avoid driving in the city centre as there are few roads that aren’t pedestrian and you’ll likely have to walk anyway; That being said, just because you won’t need a car in Lucca, doesn’t mean that a. Where is your favourite place in Italy? Lucca, Italy, in Modern Times. During the Roman era, Lucca served as an … Here you'll find all kinds of stores, from food and wine to clothing and household items. That’s awesome. It reminds me of Bergamo. It is famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls. It is one of the most popular places for pro cyclists to train because of the varying elevation and terrain that the area provides. Combination tickets are available for Villa Guinigi and the National Museum in Palazzo Mansi, near the west walls. Lucca is known throughout Italy for its fantastic medieval city walls that still encircle most of the historic old town. Locals are certainly used to tourists but people moving there may indeed be another story. Great to hear, you must have good taste . Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. It is famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls. I have not spent a lot of time in Italy but it sounds like Lucca is my type of place. My favourite way to explore a city is on foot, wandering to my heart’s content. Explore the Church and Baptistery of San Giovanni and Reparata, Take in the Architecture of San Frediano Church, Villas and Gardens in the Countryside of Lucca. I would take daytrips to obscure neighboring hill towns to sketch. Walking through the historical centre of Toulouse, The Incomplete Europe Public Transport Guide – 1.0, A Memorable Day Trip to Poas Volcano, Costa Rica, 6 Easy Day Trips from Launceston, Tasmania, 6 Reasons to Visit Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, The Treasured Sights of North West Tasmania, Australia, Explore the Island with These 4 Wonderful Hikes on Gozo. The square is a favorite place in Lucca to sit and have a coffee. Originally built in the 12th to 13th centuries, it's Romanesque in style and has an intricately decorated marble facade. It too has an intricate design on its facade, which actually includes individually decorated columns. Well, pedestrian-friendly in the sense that most street don’t allow cars. In summer, there are evening concerts scheduled, too. Made mostly with gold leaf mosaic that glows beautifully in the sunlight, there's also a little color to make the apostles and Christ stand out. We loved Lucca. enjoy. Guinigi Tower is on Via Guinigi, a well-preserved medieval street where you'll also find the Case dei Guinigi, a complex of 14th-century towers and brick houses. The old city centre is perfect for strolling, and it feels like every narrow street opens onto some sort of surprise. In a 15th-century villa near the east walls, the Villa Guinigi's museum has local artifacts and artworks from prehistoric times through the 17th century. The go-to city in Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance it’s packed with world-famous masterpieces, churches and frescoes. It’s also a place that is very much lived in. In so many Italian cities you find wonderfully adorned churches and cathedrals and Lucca is no exception. Lucca totally looks like my cup of tea. My Italian father came to the US during WW II as a “guest” of the American military and never returned to Voghera to live after marrying my mother. Few countries receive the hectic influx of tourists like Italy. I recently visited Koblenz, Germany. Please share your thoughts in the comments below. i’m sure it won’t be my lasts, so i am not making myself crazy checking off the big boxes. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article. You'll see a bronze statue of Puccini in the piazza bearing his name, a pleasant square with a few cafes and a restaurant. Lucca sounds idyllic with historical sites, cafes, bookstores, etc. Lucca, a living testimony to past times, kingdoms and dominions, lies in a green valley just north west of Florence. Lambrusco is like the Rioja from Spain, it might or might not be the best wine, but it is for sure the most famous things of Italy and everyone knows about it. Built in the 16th and 17th century, the walls are so broad that there is … From medieval walls and Roman amphitheatres, to more modern restaurants and wine bars, Lucca has a great range of attractions that make it a perfect base for any trip to Northern Italy. Inside is a Romanesque baptismal font. What is the best area to stay in Lucca, Italy? If you click on one and make a purchase, I may make a small commission, but at no extra cost to you. Nice city! Will it be as nice or just overcrowded? My first visit in summer, there were a number of tourists around but a small fraction compared to Florence or Siena. Also bus ride away to forte di mare a beautiful seaside resort with marble sidewalks. The track around the tops of the walls runs about 4km, making it a comfortable walk and nice way to see more of the city. Today, it's still a lively square lined with medieval buildings housing cafes, shops, and homes. We included Lucca as a handy location between Cinque Terre and Florence. If there was one spot we found tourists, it was right here. 01 of 11 Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. My family has a home in the mountains outside of Lucca. We have reviews of the best places to see in Lucca. If you click on one, I may make a small commission. I loved Lucca, especially being able to walk the walls. The street is mainly pedestrian and almost always full of people walking and browsing the wares. There are many enticing shops for delicious foods, jewelry, and fashion, and several artisan workshops to visit in the historic center. take a random trip, Nozzano, Sienna, San Geminiano, Pisa! This wine is typical from the Emilia-Romagna region and it is made of a red grape with the same name. Buildings and houses were built around the arena during the middle ages. Being able to look out across a city’s rooftops and see a place from a different perspective really transforms how you see a destination. This is also the Chianti region, home to Italy’s most famous wine, and the vineyard tours range from mom and pop to over the top state of the art. Guys and gals – it’s Autumn now. Hey there! Many famous people have called Lucca home, and sitting on his chair in front of his family home is the composer Giacomo Puccini. We have reviews of the best places to see in Lucca. I mean it’s Italy, there’s just so many places to see! In July, it's the venue for open-air music performances. It is my most favorite place in all the world. Everything! We loved it! Amazing beach with colorful cabanas and sophisticated restaurants. I know a lot of the locals will sit on top of the wall and listen for free : ). Even though I was there in late autumn, the backst, With scenery like this it's hard to believe Collio, Mostly rainy city streets around the Old Town of P, Looking across to the Pont Vieux and the River Orb, The picturesque waterfront along the Canal de la R, Peeking across medieval rooftops towards the immen, Streets of gorgeous Narbonne in the south of Franc, It's easy to see why Toulouse is something called. The interior is Gothic and holds many artworks, including the Volto Santo and the 15th-century tomb Ilaria del Carretto, a masterpiece by Jacopo della Quercia. The walls enclosing Lucca's historic center are some of the best-preserved ramparts in Italy. What strikes you about the church seen above is its four stories of loggias below an oversized statue of St Michael the Archangel. I had spent the 2 best summers of my life there with a devoted Art Teacher, who I can never repay. You just hop on a bus downtown, or train! Find a beautiful place to stay and explore all that Lucca, Italy, has to offer. Find a beautiful place to stay and explore all that Lucca, Italy, has to offer. Also on Via Fillungo is the Torre delle Ore, or clock tower—another medieval tower that you can climb. Never been, but now it is on the to do list, thanks! For the last 5 years I've been travelling the world, but especially Europe, searching far and wide for those lesser seen places. Puccini, the famous opera composer, was born in Lucca and his home is now a museum with his piano, musical scores, and more Puccini memorabilia. But I have also lived in a smaller, “idyllic” town in the US and hated it with limited things to do, suspicious and unfriendly people with few common interests, etc. In winter it was practically deserted, despite still being just as enchanting. thanks! What’s great about Lucca is that it has so many towers to choose from. I am headed there this coming weekend, and I cannot wait! If you can, head out through one of the gates or tunnels, just to see how impressive the fortifications are from below. It is the capital of the Province of Lucca. Now, I am dreaming of returning to the country he left behind. In 1799 Lucca was joined to the Cisalpine Republic. lucca keeps popping up, so i will have to really look into it more. Recommended. Yes to all of this! I share her name and bday is April 27. Covering the complete history of the City, both Roman, and Greek, it is not surprising that Roman and Greek collections here are some of the most elaborate in the world. There are also several artworks and frescoes and the mummified body of The Incorruptible Santa Zita. And yet, both times I’ve found myself visiting Lucca. b. An equally striking facade can be seen on the city’s St Martin Cathedral. Probably the most famous is the pizza napoletana with its soft, chewy dough and prominent crust. Inside the church, you can go underground for a fascinating look at archaeological excavations dating from the first century BC through the 11th century AD including Roman remains, part of an early Christian church, and a medieval crypt. I visited during April 27 week. This is the home of the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery that hosts Michelangelo’s David . If you have visited Lucca, what did you think of this city? Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Palazzo Mansi has paintings as well as the tapestries and frescoes of the 16th- through 19th-century palazzo itself. I LOVE Lucca too and it is calling me …again. From these you get Lucca’s beautiful cityscape, this time including the surreal tower in the skyline. When it comes to exploring cities, one of my favourite things to do is find a tower to climb. How does Lucca score in handicapped accessibility compared to the US? Favoured by the quieter kind of foreign visitor, Lucca is often whispered of as a secret gem; an alternative to the high-season tourist madness of Florence, or Rome. Aside from that, it’s like stepping back in time. I am going this summer and have just found out it is the Lucca Summer Music Festival- Have you been during the festival? Other sights include a botanical garden, a couple of towers you can climb, … Actually made it our base for a week to travel to florence and pisa twice. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. The Guinigi Tower can be identified from a distance by the large oak tree growing out of its top. That’s where towers like Torre delle Ore or the Bell Tower of the St Martin Cathedral come in. Somehow Lucca has managed to avoid the crowds up to this point. When it comes to churches and cathedrals, it’s fair to say that Italy has some of the best in the world. The best area to stay in Lucca is the historical center. Thanks for all the great pictures! Trying to sort out which towns to day trip to and Lucca is on the short list! Lucca is like the center of The Universe, Really! I can’t vouch for living there but with so many other fantastic destinations nearby there’s no way you’d round out of things to see. Probably the thing that most won me over originally was Lucca’s immense city walls. The historic city is surrounded by thick and high fortifications that date back to the Middle Ages. In 1805 Napoleon made it a dukedom for his cousin Felice Bacciochi. Palazzo Pfanner, with a costume collection and lovely gardens, is another palazzo that can be visited. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Big names like Florence and Pisa are very close by, while you also have smaller destinations like Pistoia. Would love to go back again. It is the capital of the Province of Lucca. This museum would be a great place to start your tour around the city. Located in the beautiful Italian region of Tuscany, Lucca is a city famous for its Renaissance era walls, charming cobbled streets, and aromatic Tuscan pizzas. What a great memory to have. This is particularly true in summer, but even in winter you’ll be surprised by tourist numbers in places like Rome, Florence and Venice. Lucca's cathedral, dedicated to San Martino or Saint Martin, sits on Piazza San Martino surrounded by impressive medieval buildings. Loved it. It still retains that medieval style of narrow streets, alleys and lanes similar to cities like Orvieto and Perugia. Concerts by internationally renowned artists enliven different locations of the city usually on July , while another renowned event, Lucca Comics & Games , usually takes place in late October/early November . Its historic center, with medieval towers and nearly 100 churches, is completely enclosed by its walls, which make it a good city for walking, biking, and shopping. Lucca was the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini (in 1858), one of Italy's most famous operatic composers. Actually, Lucca can be a little challenging to navigate as its layout is quite random and organic. Neapolitan pizza-making is so unique it’s even been recognised by … It's open daily from mid-March through November 2, and on weekends and holidays the rest of the year. One of the city’s most grand churches is the Chiesa di San Michele in Foro in the very heart of the old town. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The jagged walls that encircle Lucca have a pretty famous architect, the one and only Leonardo Da Vinci. 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