When visiting Italy, you can’t help but stop in a city called Lucca, located on the Serchio River in the province of Tuscany. It is completely surrounded by a fortress wall, 4.2 km long, built in the 16th-17th centuries. It protected the city not only from enemies, but also from floods, which often threatened to destroy many buildings. The architecture of Lucca is dominated by ancient buildings, churches and towers. Locals proudly note that it was in Lucca that great composers like Giacomo Puccini and Luigi Boccherini were born. Centuries-old history has left its mark on all spheres of life of the townspeople, so Lucca will be of interest to all tourists who want to get acquainted with the customs of the country.
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City gate Porta san Pietro
But first things first. The journey begins by entering the city through the Porta san Pietro, built in 1565-1566. Previously, only they were open to foreigners who wanted to get to Lucca. The layout of the city has remained unchanged since the 3rd century AD, when the Romans ruled here. The city is divided into four parts by two streets, one of which runs from north to south (cardo), and the other from east to west (decumanus). They intersect in the center, and the remaining streets run parallel to them and divide the entire territory into small squares.
Piazza San Michele in Foro
Piazza San Michele in Foro is located almost in the very center of the city. A church of the same name was built on it in the 12th century, famous for its unique architecture, which has survived to this day. The shape of the building resembles a huge majestic ship. On outside facade there is a statue of Archangel Michael.
They say that the saint’s hand is decorated with a ring with real diamonds, which was presented to the church as a gift by a grateful parishioner. Many people wait until the evening hour, when twilight is just beginning to envelop the city, to see a bright sparkling dot on the saint’s hand. Near the church there is a house that silently witnessed the birth of the baby Giacomo Puccini, who later became a great composer whose operas are still admired by the whole world.
Mercy Square
There are many squares in Lucca. As soon as you move just a little away from one, you immediately find yourself on another. So, not far from San Michele there is a square called piazza di San Salvatore, which is popularly called Mercy Square. The church of the same name, built in the 12th century, has strict classical forms.
Market Square
Following further along Via Roma and then Fallungo, you come to the Market Square, built in the shape of an oval. Crowds of people always gathered here. But before, people came to gaze at the brave gladiators who fought in the arena of the majestic amphitheater that previously stood on this site.
This explains the shape of the square and the presence of arched passages through which animals and people once came out to entertain the public with their bloody fights. The presence of this building suggests that Lucca was quite rich, since not many even large cities could afford such luxury.
Basilica of San Fridiano
The Basilica di San Frediano church deserves special attention. The fact is that this is the only religious building erected in the Romanesque style between 1112 and 1147. If you go inside the church, you can see its landmark - the baptismal font, made and installed here in the 12th century by the architect Roberto.
It has a somewhat irregular geometric shape with biblical scenes painted on it in marble. Under the altar is the tomb of the founder of the church of San Frediano, and a little to the right is the glass coffin of Saint Zita, revered in Italy by the common people and servants.
Clock Tower Torre delle Ore
Leaving the marble vaults of the church and moving further, you come across the tower of the Torre delle Ore Clock. It was the first building in Lucca to have a clock installed on it in the 14th century. They differed from their modern counterparts in that they did not show time and did not even have a dial. Their duties were only to notify residents about the approach of midnight.
Guinigi Tower
It is simply impossible to visit Lucca and not see Guinigi, which is one of the symbols of the city of Lucca. The tower is visible from afar and is an architectural masterpiece. The palace itself is not made in the form of one separate building, but is a small town. Small buildings, decorated with intricately shaped turrets, were built for members of the large Guinigi family. The founder of this dynasty ruled Lucca at the beginning of the 15th century.
All tourists are advised to climb this famous tower, where from a height of 44 meters an amazing view of the city and the surrounding area opens. This excursion costs only three euros, but the splendor of the panorama that opens can amaze those who have visited here for the first time. It is also surprising that centuries-old huge trees grow on the terrace of the tower, among which there are oaks that are more than five hundred years old.
Cathedral of San Martino
We get down from the Guinigi Tower and move on, because ahead is the main church and landmark of the city of Lucca Cathedral San Martino, built in the 6th century, but after that it was rebuilt several times, and has come down to us in the form it was given in the 15th century. It begins to surprise and delight as soon as you enter. On all sides of the front door there are images telling the story of St. Martin's life. Walking further, the eye begins to inquisitively search for a wall drawing depicting the Labyrinth. Ancient writings claim that this is the plan of the very labyrinth through which Theseus passed, led by the thread of Aridna.
In the sacristy you can see the sarcophagus in which Paolo Guinigi's wife Ilaria rests. At the time of her death, she had just turned twenty-six years old, so her grief-stricken husband asked the famous master Jacopo Della Quercia to create a worthy refuge for her beautiful young body. And the master created a real masterpiece, pouring all his passion and skill into this ingenious creation, which is still admired by millions of people from all over the world.
But Jacopo Della Querch did not stop there and created a magnificent statue of John the Baptist for the Cathedral of St. Martin. Further, the attention of visitors will definitely be attracted by the wooden crucifix and the legend that is associated with it. They say that it was carved by Nicodemus from Lebanese cedar, and the image of Christ was suggested to him by angels. When leaving Lucca, many townspeople take with them a copy of the Volto Santo crucifix, confident that it will protect them from troubles and misfortunes on their long journey.
Napoleon Square
Completing the journey, we find ourselves in Piazza Napoleone, piazza Napoleone, so named due to the fact that Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Eliza and her husband once lived in the palace located on this site. Now the palace is open to numerous guests who can visit the art gallery and city library, which contains rare ancient books and manuscripts. Another collection of paintings is located in the neighboring Manzi palace building.
As for the best time of year to visit Lucca, there is no clear answer. In summer the city is quite hot and dry, but in winter it is moderately humid and warm.
To get to know the sights of the city in more detail, it is best to book a city tour. It lasts approximately three hours, it is carried out Russian speaking guide, and the cost is about 180 euros. This walk includes a visit to the Guinigi Tower, Piazza Napoleon, Giacomo Puccini's house and other attractions described above.
How to get around the city
Having reached the city by car, it is better to leave your own vehicle outside the city walls in specially designated parking spaces. The city of Lucca is ideal for walking or cycling.
City residents most often choose city buses, tickets for which can be purchased at any tobacco kiosks. Once on railway station, you can easily reach the center using electric buses.
Prices in cafes and restaurants
While walking around such a wonderful city, you can’t help but visit small cozy cafes or restaurants. Lunch there for one person will cost approximately 30 euros. Let us add here that a bottle of water with a capacity of 0.33 liters costs about two euros, local beer will cost almost 6 euros per half liter, and a cup of coffee or cappuccino - 1.5–2 euros.
Of course, in expensive restaurants aimed at tourists, these prices are several orders of magnitude higher.
Discover the city of Lucca and you will definitely want to return to it again.
Overlooking the ancient ruins of a Roman amphitheater
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Sights of Lucca. The most important and interesting sights of Lucca - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.
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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 a 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 Clock tower with 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 a beautiful “water garden” at the foot of the hill, under rows of balustrades.
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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 uneven in appearance due to age and numerous modifications.
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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.
Lucca is a cozy Italian town in Tuscany, located near Pisa. The city was founded on the site of Ligurian settlements and then a Roman military camp, where it occupied an advantageous position, being at the intersection of trade routes. The name of the city comes from the Ligurian “swampy place”, as there were swampy formations in the surrounding area.
The city is surrounded by a ring of old fortress walls with eleven bastions, on top of the ruins of which a city alley was laid, which still exists today. There are two in Lucca tall towers with several hundred steps, climbing which offers a magnificent view of the city. On the central streets of the city you can find small fountains with very tasty and clean water.
The city is home to museums for the composers Puccini and Boccherini, an art gallery in the Mansi Palace and many medieval Tuscan churches with square campanile bell towers. While vacationing in Lucca in the spring, you can catch one of the most interesting carnivals in the world - Viareggio, in the summer, visit the July rock and pop music festival with the participation of international famous performers, as well as the Giacomo Puccini festival, and every Sunday go to the most popular antique market; autumn brings a comedian festival to the city, various fairs within the city walls and a crossbow competition. Copyright www.site
An outstanding landmark is the Cathedral, which was named after St. Martin; the very first church on its site was built in the 6th century, and in the 8th century it was given the status of a cathedral. Over the history of its existence, the cathedral has been rebuilt more than once; it has retained elements of decoration from various periods. On the facade of the cathedral you can still see beautiful stucco work, and inside its walls and ceiling are decorated with skillful frescoes. The cathedral preserves luxurious tombstones that were created by Matteo Civitali back in the 15th century, and art lovers will be impressed by the medieval frescoes depicting the Madonna.
On Place Napoleon you can see one of the most mysterious historical monuments- Ducal Palace. It was built at the beginning of the 14th century for the consul of Lucca Castruccio Castracani; according to some sources, the author of the design of this palace was Giotto. Previously, on the site of the palace there was a large fort, which by the 14th century had lost its strategic importance. Nowadays the palace is available for visiting as part of excursions; an interesting collection of ancient works of art is kept within its walls.
Lucca has a wonderful botanical garden that will appeal to all nature lovers. It was founded back in 1820; many elements of its design have been preserved since the 19th century. Walking through the garden, its visitors can admire exotic plants, among which are ancient sculptures and fountains, as well as a beautiful artificial pond. On the territory of the garden, an ancient physics laboratory has been preserved, which was used for conducting experiments back in the 19th century, and there is also an observatory and interesting museum with a collection of rare herbariums.
One of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the city is the Pfanner Palace. It was built in the 17th century for the wealthy Moriconi family. Subsequently, its owners were the wealthiest residents of the city; the best architects and artists worked on the design of the palace. In the 19th century, one of the new owners opened a brewery on the estate, which subsequently operated until 1929. Now the luxurious palace is an example of the Baroque style; a tour of it necessarily includes a walk through the garden surrounding the palace, which is also distinguished by its exquisite design. Part of the ancient palace is now occupied by a small museum with a collection of ancient medical instruments.
Lucca is magnificent, this ancient city can make even the most seasoned tourist fall in love at first sight with its rich history, beautiful churches, luxurious restaurants... Hidden behind impressive Renaissance walls, Lucca is definitely one of those cities in Tuscany where you should stay for a holiday. end.
It's hard to imagine a more romantic city than Lucca in the spring. From the end of March to the beginning of June, the surrounding valleys and fields are painted in bright, rich colors, straight out of impressionist paintings. The bright greenery is diluted only by wild flowers, here and there playfully displaying their delicate buds from the grass. The weather is like a perfect English summer: the sky is cloudless blue and the wind is fresh and pleasantly cool. In addition, spring is still a low season, so staying in the city these days will not only be more profitable compared to July and August, but also more comfortable.
A little history
Founded by the Etruscans in 180 BC. e., Lucca became a colony of the Romans and remained in the status of a free self-governing city until the 12th century. In 1314, the ruler of Pisa “set his eye on it,” and only thanks to the selfless efforts of the local population under the leadership of Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli, Lucca regained its independence for another 5 centuries.
Napoleon's extravaganza of arbitrariness ended in 1805, when he created the Principality of Lucca and placed his relatives on the throne, in particular his sister Eliza. Twenty years later, power passed into the hands of the Bourbons until Lucca became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Information Office
APT Lucca Tourist Information Office: Piazza Santa Maria, 35
Phone/fax: 0039 0583 919931, 0039 0583469964
How to get there
Lucca is located on the railway. routes Florence - Pisa - Viareggio, so from here you can quickly and conveniently get to Pisa (about 3 EUR, 25 minutes travel time) and Florence (5 EUR, 1.5 hours) via Pistoia (3.5-4 EUR, 45 minutes) and Prato (4 EUR, 1 hour).
The A11 leads west to Pisa and Viareggio, and east to Florence. The SS12 and then SS445 roads can be reached from Forno.
From the main bus station in Piazzale Verdi, CLAP buses go to almost all cities and villages in the region, for example, to Castelnuovo (3-5 EUR, 1.5 hours). Lazzi organizes flights to Florence (5-7 EUR, 1.5 hours), Pisa (2-4 EUR, 45 minutes, departure every hour), La Spezia (5-7 EUR, 3 hours) and Marina di Carrara (3-5 EUR, 2 hours) with a stop in Marina di Massa.
Search for flights to Pisa (closest airport to Lucca)
Transport
It’s easy to get around the city on foot; it’s not so big that you have to use a car or public transport. From the railway station, CLAP electric buses run to Corso Garibaldi and Piazzale Verdi, but many argue that it’s faster and more picturesque to walk.
Maps of Lucca
Those who come to Lucca by car and have not booked a night at a hotel will hardly be able to drive into the center (inside the city walls): they will have to leave the car “outside”. But parking there is free.To call a taxi, call: 0583 95 52 00. Finally, for a leisurely exploration of the surrounding area of Lucca, you can rent a bicycle at Poli (Piazza Santa Maria 42) or Cicli Bizzarri (Piazza Santa Maria 32) for 2.50/12 EUR per hour/day .
Cuisine and restaurants
If you want to dine like Puccini or the American modernist poet Ezra Pound, head to Buca di Sant'Antonio. This restaurant dates back to 1782, offering only “haute” cuisine at equally high prices (meals from 30 EUR). You can try lamb with olives, pasta with hare or roasted kid with artichokes, cooked in the traditional Luccan style. Buca di Sant’ Antonio is located near Piazza San Michele.
The best breakfast, they say, is served at Caffè di Simo - cappuccino and cornetto (Italian croissant) in an Art Nouveau interior. Nothing has changed since those magical times when Puccini played the piano here: neither the long, shiny bar counter full of all sorts of food, nor the leisurely service. The cost is quite reasonable - no one will ask you for more than 3-4 EUR for breakfast.
The best place to stop for a snack is at Forno A Vapore Amedeo Giusti. Better yet, buy here all the ingredients for an unforgettable picnic: homemade focaccia with tomatoes, onions, olives, potatoes and mozzarella, artichokes, cheese. Address: Via Santa Lucia 18/20.
Dinner in Lucca should be unforgettable, so try it at Vineria I Santi. A small but very cozy restaurant with an amazing selection of wines on Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. In addition, the Vecchia Trattoria Buralli restaurant, hidden on Via San Giorgio, has proven itself to be excellent.
Locanda Eremo del Gusto (Via Gelli 35/37 - Petrognano - Capannori) is famous for its magnificent views of the city. Trattoria da Leo (Via Tegrimi 1) offers traditional Tuscan cuisine.
A must-try is the typical Luccan sweet baguette bread Buccellato, with its unusual anise flavor. You can find it in small shops Taddeucci, near the Cathedral of St. Martin on main square Lucca.
Everywhere in the city there are elegant water fountains, you can not only drink from them, but even need them - the water here is clean, cold and fresh. Many locals even fill large containers with it to drink and cook at home.
Shops and shopping
Lucca is home to one of the best antique markets in all of Italy. So it’s worth giving free rein to your feelings and immersing yourself in the world of silver trinkets, costume jewelry, bronze, antique carpets, accessories and books. Where and when to bargain: every third weekend in almost all the more or less large and significant squares of the city.
The main shopping alley of the city in its modern sense is Via Fillungo. There are boutiques of famous Italian brands (Missoni, Armani, Max Mara), simpler shops and souvenir shops. You can choose a bottle of wine or aperitif as a souvenir at Enoteca Vanni (Piazza del Salvatore 7).
Guides in Lucca
Popular hotels in Lucca
Entertainment and attractions in Lucca
Lucca is one of the few Italian cities where the ancient fortress walls, more than 4 km in diameter, have been almost completely preserved. They are the ones who give the city a unique atmosphere of the Middle Ages, comfort, and romance. It's worth strolling around outside, inside and even above - paths lined with plane trees are laid along the wide walls.
The main architectural dominant of the city since the 6th century has been the Cathedral Church of St. Martin in Piazza San Martino. Inside the cathedral attracts attention tombstone Ilaria del Carretto and the statue of St. John the Evangelist, as well as works by Tintoretto (The Last Supper), Ghirlandaio (Madonna and Child and Saints) and Civitali (monuments to Da Noceto and Bertini). And thanks to the golden age of culture - the trecento - Lucca acquired a whole scattering of small churches and chapels with fancy facades. One of the must-sees is the Basilica of St. Fredian, where the incorrupt relics of St. Zita (1212-1272) are located.
It is not for nothing that the name Puccini has already been mentioned several times in the description of Lucca, because this city is the birthplace of the great composer. In addition, another Italian musical genius, Luigi Boccherini, was born here, and in 1995, 4 months before his death, Joseph Brodsky visited the city.
Not far from the Church of St. Martin, a building with a Gothic dome attracts attention - this is the 14th century Baptistery; as well as the 12th-century Church of San Giovanni and the monument to Marie Louise of Bourbon (1834).
The city's other outstanding religious monument is the 12th-14th century Basilica of San Freliano, with an elegant façade decorated with the Ascension mosaic. Opposite is one of the most characteristic squares of Lucca - Piazza del Amphitheater, which stands on the site of a Roman amphitheater from the 2nd century. Nearby you can visit the Church of San Pietro Somalia, with its elegant Pisan-Romanesque façade and brick bell tower.
On Via Guinigi, two rows of brick buildings attract attention - the Houses of Guinigi. It is here that the famous tower is located, on the upper platform of which there is a hanging garden. Behind the houses is the church of Santa Maria Forisportam (from the Italian “outside the fortress wall”) with a strict marble facade decorated with arcades and loggias.
Palaces of Lucca
The number of elegant and majestic palazzos, villas and mansions in Lucca exceeds all the decent limits appropriate for the size of the city. We will mention only the best of the best. For example, the unfinished construction of the great Ammannati - Palazzo della Provincia. Also notable is the 17th-century Palazzo Mansi on Via Galli Tassi. It's worth stopping here to explore the charming interiors and the 18th-century Marriage Bedroom, a carved baroque alcove. In addition, Mansi hides behind its facades the National Museum with an excellent collection of paintings by artists from the Renaissance to the 19th century. You can see works by Giordano, Bronzino, Veronese, Tintoretto. Nearby, taking another 10 minutes, you can admire the interior of the Renaissance Church of San Paolino with works of art from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Palazzo Pretorio is a palace worthy of attention, the construction of which began in 1492 according to the design of Civitali. Nearby is the church of San Michele in Foro, Pisan-Lucca Romanesque, 14th century. Behind the façade, topped with a statue of St. Michael the Archangel, are works by Filippino Lippi, Andrea della Robbiai and Raffaello da Montelupo.
Finally, you can check out Palazzo Bernardini and Villa Guinigi (not to be confused with Guinigi's houses). The latter houses a museum where it is worth visiting both departments: archaeological with finds from the times of the Etruscans and ancient Romans; and fine arts.
It is not easy to find a place in Italy that would not leave a lasting impression even on the most experienced traveler. Almost any small town is a treasure trove of priceless ancient monuments and unique flavor. A striking example is the city of Lucca.
The medieval sights of Lucca, houses with red roofs and many towers make you fall in love at first sight. The city looks especially romantic in spring. When the juicy emerald green of the surrounding meadows and fields is added to the play of shades of red, and the sky pleases with its blueness and cloudlessness.
Story
The city of Lucca was founded in 180 BC. Etruscans. The city then became a Roman colony and enjoyed the high status of a free, self-governing city until the 12th century. For some time Lucca fell under the influence of the ruler of Pisa, but then, thanks to the efforts of Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli, it regained its independence for another five centuries.
With Napoleon Bonaparte coming to power, the city of Lucca became a principality led by the relatives of the newly-minted emperor. After 20 years it passed into the hands of the Bourbons, and then became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Now Lucca is strongly associated with the name of Puccini and another musical genius - Luigi Boccherini. The city at one time became the birthplace of these two famous Italians.
How to get there
Russia does not have direct flight connections with Lucca. The nearest airports are in Pisa and. You can select suitable tickets in the form below.
The further path can be overcome in several ways:
The easiest one is to order from our wonderful guide Jadwiga. On the same day, in addition to Lucca, you can also visit Pisa with its famous leaning tower. Excursions are organized from La Spezia, as well as the resort town famous for its Montecantini Terme.
Another convenient way to get to the city of Lucca is to rent a car. To get there, take the A11 from Florence or the E80 from Genoa. The distance from Florence to Lucca is just over 75 km, and you will have to spend at least an hour on the road. From Genoa it takes longer, about 2 hours. The distance between the cities is 167 km.
From almost any city in Italy you can easily get to Lucca by bus. Most routes end at the town's main bus station, Piazza Verdi. Lazzi buses run every hour to Florence, Pisa, Castelnuovo, Marina di Carrara and others settlements. Ticket prices for most routes vary from 3 to 7 euros, depending on the travel time and the comfort of the bus.
Finally, you can get to Lucca by rail– the city is located in the middle of the train route Florence - Pisa - Viareggio. Only regional trains run from Florence in this direction. You will have to spend at least 1.5 hours on the way. An average ticket costs 7.5 euros.
Transport
In Lucca itself, if you come here by car, you will have to travel on foot or by public transport, since the car will need to be left outside the walls of the old city (parking is free). But the city itself is small, and it is impossible to fully enjoy all its attractions without getting out of the car.
CLAP electric buses – the main public transport of Lucca
CLAP electric buses operate from railway station with final stops at Corso Garibaldi and Piazzale Verdi.
There is also a taxi service in the city. A good compromise between walking and using public transport is to rent a bicycle. This can be done at Cicli Bizzarri (Piazza Santa Maria 32) or Poli (Piazza Santa Maria 42). An hour of rental will cost you 2.5 Euros, a day – 12 Euros.
Hotels in Lucca
The city of Lucca, unlike its “famous neighbors”, pleases with a rich selection of accommodation options that are distinguished by comfort and affordable prices. There are not many regular hotels in the city; their star rating does not exceed 4 according to the international classification. But in Lucca you can find many cozy and inexpensive guest houses, villas and apartments. You can choose the most suitable accommodation option using the link below.
Sights of Lucca
Ancient monuments in Lucca begin from the very borders of the old city - the fortress walls have been preserved here. Their total length is about 4 kilometers, and they create a special atmosphere of comfort and unique medieval romance. You can even walk along the fortress walls from above - they are quite wide and lined with picturesque plane trees.
The main attraction of Lucca is the medieval walls and towers
And the city of Lucca in Italy is called the city of towers. In medieval times there were a lot of towers in the city. Every wealthy citizen added a tower to his house to show his wealth. Unfortunately, most of them have not survived to this day. However, one of the towers nevertheless became an unspoken symbol of the city - this is the Guinigi Tower overgrown with oaks. At the top of the tower is now Observation deck, where it’s so nice to admire the roofs of medieval houses.
The Guinigi Tower is decorated with green oak trees. From the height there is a wonderful view of the city
In addition to the towers, there are many churches among the attractions of Lucca. A unique architectural dominant of the city since the 6th century. is the Cathedral of St. Martin in Piazza San Martino. Here you can see the statue of St. John the Evangelist, the tombstone of Ilaria del Carretto and even famous works by Ghirlandaio, Civitali and Tintoretto. Of course, this is not the only religious building in the city. The 14th century gave Lucca many picturesque chapels and small churches. Be sure to visit the Basilica of St. Fredian. It contains the incorruptible relics of St. Zita.
Cathedral of St. Martin
Not far from the cathedral there is a building that will definitely attract your attention with its Gothic dome. We are talking about the Baptistery of the 14th century. It is also worth a look at the 12th-century Church of San Giovanni and the monument to Marie Louise of Bourbon.
Another important religious monument of Lucca is the Basilica of San Frediano from the 12th to 14th centuries, notable for its “Ascension” mosaic on the façade. Opposite the church is a very characteristic square for the city - Piazza del Amphitheatre. It was built on the site of an ancient Roman amphitheater from the 2nd century AD.
The round square of the Amphitheater is the central square of the city of Lucca
We should also talk about the luxurious villas and palaces of Lucca, which are present here in simply mind-boggling quantities. It is impossible to mention them all; we will tell only about the most prominent ones.
It is definitely worth seeing the unfinished Palazzo della Provincia, handmade by the great Ammannati, as well as the interiors of Palazzo Mansi, decorated with paintings by Tintoretto, Bronzino and Veronese.
Palazzo Pretorio served as the "home" of the local city administration for centuries
The Palazzo Pretorio, built in the 15th-16th centuries, is also worthy of attention. based on a project by Civitali. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Palazzo Bernardini, as well as the Archeology Museum at Villa Guinigi.
Cuisine and restaurants
However, not only historical and architectural monuments are considered landmarks of Lucca. You can’t ignore local catering establishments, although such “clerical” terminology is not even entirely appropriate when talking about restaurants with more than three hundred years of history.
You can taste real haute cuisine at Buca di Sant’Antonio, a restaurant opened in 1782. The prices here are also “high” in every sense, but the dishes offered (the cost of a dish starts from 30 euros) are definitely worth it. Here you can try pasta with real hare, lamb with olives or roasted kid with artichokes. Of course, the dishes are prepared according to traditional Luccan recipes.
Caffè di Simo is famous for its excellent breakfasts. Almost nothing has changed in the interior of the cafe since the time of Puccini, who, by the way, personally played the piano here from time to time. An average breakfast will cost quite “budget” - around 3-4 euros.
For a light snack you can stop at Forno A Vapore Amedeo Giusti on st. Santa Lucia 18/20. Here you can also buy everything for a great picnic, including amazing homemade focaccia with olives, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, mozzarella and artichokes.
At Peperosa Ristorante you can not only have a great lunch or dinner, but also enjoy views of the main square of Lucca
You can organize an unforgettable dinner for yourself at Peperosa Ristorante on Amphitheater Square. In addition to excellent Tuscan dishes, here you will be offered wide choose excellent wines. You can also have a good dinner at the Vecchia Trattoria Buralli restaurant on Via San Giorgio.
If you want to combine a meal with a magnificent panorama of the city, you should definitely go to Locanda Eremo del Gusto (Via Gelli 35/37 - Petrognano - Capannori), where they serve traditional Tuscan cuisine.
In general, if you are in Lucca, even just passing through, be sure to try the local sweet bread, buccellato, with the characteristic aroma of anise. It is sold in small shops at Taddeucci, as well as in the main square of Lucca, right next to the above-mentioned Cathedral of St. Martin.
To conclude the topic of food and drink, let us emphasize that the water in the city's many drinking fountains is truly drinkable - fresh, cold and clean. Local residents constantly collect water in large containers and take it home.
Photos by: Alessandro Vecchi, Piergiuliano Chesi, Geobia, Harald Bischoff, LivornoDP, Graeme Maclean, Sailko
