Lucca

Before we left Australia many people urged us to visit Lucca in Tuscany. I’m pleased to say that finally we managed to get there and friends, you were right, Lucca is a beautiful city.

In fact Greg and I found that a few days there weren’t enough, so we’re planning to return for a month in the summer. But for those of you already familiar with lovely Lucca, here’s a little trip down memory lane.

Porta San Pietro (1566), the southern entrance to the city

'Walking the Walls' - Lucca's Renaissance defensive walls have been preserved intact, and the 4.2km walkway around the top of them is one of the city's greatest assets

The expansion of the walls in the 16th and 17th centuries (as military weapons became more effective) resulted in the wide, open pathway that exists today

Lucca is also known as 'The City of 100 Churches', but Greg liked it anyway 🙂

The Basilica San Michele in Foro; the city's Roman Forum once stood on this site

Here you'll find Filippino Lippi's wonderful altarpiece panel 'Four Saints' (1483)

Lucca's Cathedral, San Martino, was built around the existing bell tower (which accounts for the smaller arch on the right)

Piazza San Frediano (in front of Basilica San Frediano)

Torre Guinigi, a defensive tower built in the 1300s, is one of several still standing and the only one with a roof garden

It's thought oak trees were first planted up here in the 14th or 15th centuries

And this is the view from the top (on a wintry, but not snowy, day!)

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro; built in the 1st century AD, Lucca's amphitheatre held up to 10,000 people

The amphitheatre's stepped seating was eventually replaced by shops and houses, but even today evidence of Roman construction can still be seen

Lucca's Medieval and Renaissance architecture is a feature of the city

The composer Puccini was born here in 1858

Lucca is a popular destination for visitors

But it doesn't seem to have that 'hard sell' tourist vibe that some other popular cities have

Wandering the narrow streets reveals some lovely surprises

Like this little restaurant; not so much a 'pop up' as a 'pop open'

We really enjoyed Lucca and are looking forward to our return visit