No real traveler would refuse to find himself in a city with a long history, surrounded by fortress walls of the 16th century, practically undamaged by time, among the architecture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, colorful markets and shops with local delicacies... Lucca can surprise, enchant, intrigue and leave an unforgettable impression.

Lucca is a city with a population of 90 thousand inhabitants, an area of ​​185.5 sq. km, located in the northwest, near, and.

History of Lucca

Regarding the origin of the city of Lucca, historians express different opinions: some believe that the city, which arose in a marshy area, has a connection with, based on the Celtic-Ligurian name “Luk”, which means “swamp”; other scholars, based on recent archaeological discoveries, attribute the founding of the city to the Etruscans.

But be that as it may, already in 180 BC. Lucca was a Roman colony, as evidenced by the oval-shaped Amphitheater Square and the forum, located on the site of the modern Piazza San Michele. However, traces of the presence of the ancient Romans are most easily recognized in historical center a city whose streets repeat the strict perpendicularity of Roman streets. The first fortress walls that bounded the square of the ancient Roman urban layout date back to the same period.

The history of Lucca consists of periods of war and foreign domination followed by years of peace and prosperity. In the 5th century, Lucca was occupied by the Goths, in the 6th century the city was conquered by the Byzantines, then Lucca turned into one of the most important cities of the Longobard kingdom. With the fall of Longobard power in 773, the rule of the Carolingians began, under whose rule the city began to actively develop, thanks to commercial activities and textile production - silk was made here highest quality, which was valued in many countries.

Textile products of ancient Lucca (museum in the Mansi Palace). Photoflickr. com

Lucca and neighboring Pisa had been at odds with each other for a long time, and in 1314 the Pisans finally established their power in Lucca, which entailed the loss of Lucca's monopoly on the textile market. In 1370 Lucca regained its freedom and independence, and in 1438 a truce was signed with Florence, returning the city to a state of economic and political stability.

In 1799, during Napoleon's Italian campaign, Lucca came under his rule. About it historical fact is mentioned in his novel “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy, opening his famous work with the following phrase uttered by the maid of honor Anna Scherer in 1805: “Eh bien, mon prince, Gênes et Lucques ne sont plus que des apanages, des "pomestja" de la famille Buonaparte..." (Well, Prince, Genoa and Lucca became no more than estates of the Bonaparte family...) In 1815 Lucca became the Duchy of Bourbon, and in 1847 the Duke of Lucca Charles Louis of Bourbon-Parma ceded the Duchy of Lucca to the Grand Duchy Tuscany, which led to the loss of his independence.

Coat of arms of the Duchy of Lucca. Photo: loschermo.it

The tourist destination began to develop in Lucca around 1930, which was greatly facilitated by the construction of the Firenze-Mare (Florence - Sea) highway.

Sights of Lucca

The first thing that catches the eye of a tourist who decides to explore Lucca is the impressive fortress wall, built in the XV-XVII centuries to protect the city, 4223 meters long, with 11 bastions, six external and three internal gates. Already in the second half of the 19th century, the powerful fortress wall began to be used as a place for walking. For some time, until the 90s of the last century, cars, including heavy-duty ones, even drove along it - the only example in the world of such use of fortress walls. Today the city walls are a great place for walking and cycling.

Alley on the city wall. Photoflickr. com

Historical Center Lucca has remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages - the same narrow streets, squares with adjacent towers and palaces and about 60 churches. The city is crossed by the central street of ancient Lucca - Via Fillungo.

Via Fillungo. Photoflickr. com

Cathedral of St. Martin. Photo flickr.com

Among the masterpieces that can be seen inside the cathedral are the painting “Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints” by the 15th century Florentine artist Domenico Ghirlandaio and the tombstone of Ilaria Carretto by the sculptor Jacopo Della Quercia.

Tombstone by Jacopo della Quercia. Photobefan. it

St. Michael's Church(Chiesa di San Michele in Foro), located on, and (Basilica di San Frediano) are striking examples of Pisan-Lucca architecture.

Church of St. Michael. Photoflickr. com

(Torre Giunigi) with a height of 44 meters is the main and most high tower Lucca is one of the few that have survived to this day, although at the beginning of the 14th century there were more than 250 towers and bell towers in the city. The Guinigi, the most noble family of the city, decided to ennoble their family tower by planting several oak trees on its top - a symbol of rebirth.

Guinigi Tower.Photoflickr. com

Amphitheater Square(Piazza dell "Anfiteatro) has the shape of an ellipse, since it was built in the Middle Ages on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century. The level of the modern square is three meters higher than the ancient arena. There are four gates leading to the square, only one of which , the lowest, completely repeat their medieval original.

Amphitheater Square. Photobanningpoverty. org

Villa Paolo Guinigi(XV century) since 1924 is the location of state museum, containing a rich artistic and archaeological collection.

Mansi Palace(Palazzo Mansi), built at the end of the 16th century, is also now a museum, the exhibits of which are not only paintings by masters of the 19th century, but also samples of ancient fabrics and textile products from Lucca.

Pfanner Palace(Palazzo Pfanner) from the 17th century is a magnificent example of Lucca Baroque, surrounded by a beautiful garden.

IN House-Museum of Giacomo Puccini, where the composer was born, his letters, scores, photographs, and personal items are currently stored.

What to try in Lucca

Local cuisine is based on ancient traditions of preparing simple, but tasty and original dishes. Let's name some of them. Garmucha- spring soup with onions, peas, artichokes, asparagus, green beans in beef broth, served with pieces of meat and brisket and toasted bread with olive oil. Matuffi- tender polenta (porridge made from corn flour) with meat sauce or mushrooms and Parmesan. Rovellina- thin slices of beef, fried and stewed in a sauce of tomatoes, capers and herbs. Fried baccala(dried cod) with chickpeas seasoned with olive oil, pepper and salt. Rabbit in sauce made from onions, garlic, tomatoes, olives, red peppers and herbs. Pork with chestnut flour polenta, lamb with olives, trout from the Serchio River on a spit.

Vegetable casseroles are also an integral part of Lucca cuisine, using spinach, green beans, artichokes, cauliflower and chard. Vegetables are baked in the oven with bechamel sauce and egg yolks. Almost all dishes are seasoned with local, marked DOP.

Sweets lovers should pay attention to buccellato- sweet pie with raisins and anise, castagnaccio- chestnut flour pie with pine nuts and raisins, nechchi- pancakes made from chestnut flour with ricotta filling.

Sweet necchi. Photonellamiacucina. altervista. org

Guilt This area includes both white and red Montecarlo DOC and Colline Lucchesi DOC, as well as the aromatic herbal liqueur Biadina, which is also an excellent souvenir for tourists, since it is produced only in one place in the historical center of Lucca.

How to get to Lucca

By car: from Florence along the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway; from Genoa - take the A12 Genova-Rosignano motorway.

You can reach Lucca by train or bus from Florence, Pisa and Viareggio.

By plane: the nearest airport is Pisa - 30 km, Florence airport - 70 km, Rome airport - 350 km.

Italy is a country where tourists from all over the world come in search of Inspiration. Country with rich history, on whose territory the most powerful state was located - Ancient Rome. This is the country that gave world culture great creators and their works of art of the era Renaissance. Italy is located in the central part Southern Europe. It seems that Italy fits everything: majestic Alpine mountains, And clear waters Mediterranean Sea, and even volcanoes - Vesuvius And Etna. Italy is a country of romance, passion and love.

What kind of city is Lucca?

One of the cities worth visiting while in Italy is Lucca. A small city with a population of about ninety thousand people. The city is located in the north-west of Tuscany, close to Pisa, Viareggio and Livorno. Lucca is one of those cities in which history has been preserved to this day. Because Lucca is small town, it is very convenient for tourists to travel on foot.

Sights of Lucca


The Basilica of San Fridiano is a Romanesque-style Catholic church located in the square Basilica di San Frediano. By order of Bishop Fridian, the building was created in the 6th century and was called San Vincenzo di Saragossa. But after the death of the bishop, the temple was renamed. The relics of the saint are kept in the altar of the church.

The church itself has its own attractions: the chapel of St. Zitas, which contains her relics, chapel Trenta with the image of the Virgin Mary and Child, Chapel of the Holy Cross with works Amico Asspertini.


The Torre Guinigi Tower is located on Via Sant'Andrea. At the beginning of the 14th century, there were more than two hundred towers in the city. The Guinigi family that ruled the city built a tower and planted trees on the roof of the building. Thus, the tower became a symbol of the era Renaissance. The tower is one of the few that have survived to this day. Tourists are offered to climb to the roof by climbing two hundred and twenty-five steps. The rooftop offers a beautiful panoramic view of the historical center of Lucca. This is also where hanging garden , represented by oak trees.


The Botanical Garden of Lucca is located on the street Via Giardino Botanico. It was created in the early 19th century by the Duchess Marie Louise of Spain. The garden's collection includes more than two hundred species of plants. On the way, tourists encounter huge ceramic slabs depicting significant events in the history of the garden. You get some breathtaking photos here! WITH botanical garden associated legend about a certain mysterious lady Lucida Mansi, who sold her soul to the devil in exchange for youth. At the end of the agreement, Satan brought the woman to the garden of Lucca and threw her into the local lake. They say that if you put your head in the lake you can see the woman's face.


Villa Marlia is a palace built in the 15th century in the Renaissance style that belonged to the Buonvisi family. Located in the province of Lucca, the town of Capannori. A water theater with fountains, a green theater with hedges, and a lemon garden with a large swimming pool evoke a feeling of delight.



Villa Torrigiani is located in the province of Lucca, the town of Camigliano. The palace belonged to the Buonvisi family and was built in the 16th century. The architect of the villa was Alfonso Torregiani. The creation of which still delights tourists.


The Cathedral of San Martino is the main cathedral of Lucca. Construction began in the 11th century by Bishop Anselm, who later became Pope Alexander II. In the center of the cathedral in the chapel is the main attraction - Volto Santo di Lucca, or the Sacred Face - a wooden crucifix of Christ. Another pride of the cathedral is the labyrinth, dating from the 12th-13th centuries. It is assumed that this particular labyrinth became the standard for the construction of subsequent labyrinths.



National Museum Villa Guinigi is located in the palace of Paolo Guinigi, built in the 15th century. The first section of the museum is dedicated to the life of the city of Lucca, starting from the 8th century; ancient figurines, amphorae, funerary items, finds from necropolises - this is all that can be seen here. The second section is dedicated to Christianity. In the middle of the hall there is a wonderful marble sculpture Madonna and Child.

Apuan Alps National Park
The Apuan Alps National Park is located near Versilia in Italian Tuscany. Monte Pisanino reaches a height of almost two kilometers! The uniqueness of the landscape amazes the tourist, and the panoramic views are breathtaking. Here is the underground labyrinth Antro del Corchia seventy kilometers long, caves and valleys, as well as a bird sanctuary with bird watching opportunities.



San Michele in Foro is a Roman Catholic church, the first mention of which dates back to 795. The cathedral is dedicated to the Archangel Michael. At the top there is a four-meter statue of St. Michael, flanked by two angels. Legend has it that the angel's finger once held a large diamond. Also the tourist's eye is attracted by the statue of the Madonna made by the sculptor Matteo Civitali, marking the victory over the plague in the 15th century.


Park "Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli"
The Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli park is located in Italian Tuscany, created at the end of the 20th century. Here is Lake Massaciuccoli, on the shores of which lies the town where the composer lived for a long time Giacomo Puccini. Now tourists can get acquainted with the life of the musician by visiting the house-museum. The many species of animals and the opportunity to observe them in natural conditions is something that tourists will remember for a lifetime.



Palazzo Mansi is a real house-museum. In the 18th-19th centuries it was the center of public life in Lucca. Now the palace houses an art gallery, which displays works by Pietro Leopoldo of Tuscany and works by other artists of the 16th-18th centuries.


Palazzo Pfanner was built by the Moriconi family in the 17th century. Later, the palace was bought by the Pfanner family, who still own the estate. The film “Portrait of a Lady” was filmed on the palace grounds. There is an interesting exhibition here, featuring ancient surgical instruments and medical treatises. The exhibition exhibits have been collected Pietro Pfanner– doctor and mayor of Lucca (early 20th century). Unfortunately, tourists will be able to see not the whole palace, but only Big hall for receptions and side rooms with old furniture and a 14th century statue of Michael.

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 the city wall has completely (!) survived. 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

On the same area as Cathedral Lucca is home to 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.

Connected to the Clock Tower urban legend about the fatal beauty Lucida Mansi. 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 appearance, in some reports I have come across the erroneous 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.

2. Puccini Museum

Lucca is a city of music, in the sense that Paganini and Puccini are directly related to it (I think everyone has heard “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly” at least once). The great violinist lived here for several of his most fruitful years, and for Puccini, Lucca is generally his hometown.

A few steps from Puccini's house there is a church Santi Paolino e Donato, little Giacomo once learned to play her organ. By the way, this is the only church in Lucca built entirely during the Renaissance at the beginning of the 16th century.

One of the city gates San Donato. Hey, where's the wall? After all, all of Lucca should be surrounded by a wall. It turned out that this was an old gate; when the city grew a little, it was preserved, but the wall was moved and a new gate, San Donato, was built.

No, there is definitely something pleasant about Lucca.

The sign says, "The lemons are real, please don't test this."

In I complained that Italians stopped driving Vespas. But you just had to come to the Italian province.

This photo, in my opinion, characterizes Lucca quite well. It is very quiet, comfortable, beautiful here.

There will be a continuation in the next episode; Lucca cannot be crammed into one report so easily.

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.

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

National Museum of Villa Guinigi

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

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

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

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. The Buca di Sant'Antonio restaurant (Via Cervia, 3) offers gourmet 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

Not far from the city is natural Park Migliarino (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 picturesque lake Massaciuccoli is an equipped recreation area where you can relax and go on a boat ride.

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 the 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. Powerful walls (height - 12 m, width - 35 m) and bastions are located in good condition, partly due to the fact that the city has practically not taken part in hostilities 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 (to observation deck leads 230 steps).

  • 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: