Lucca (how to reach it), its medieval and Renaissance features are enclosed in thick sixteenth century walls, a characteristic of this beautiful Tuscan town on the left of the river Serchio. The town was a free commune since the XIIth century and Porta San Pietro, the oldest (1565-1566) of its three original gates, was the only one through which foreigners were allowed to pass. Though in part modified in the course of the centuries, it still preserves substantially unchanged the look of its elegant facade.
The Walls, perfectly preserved because they were never used, constructed between 1544 and 1645 (the are unique in Italy, still today so intact). Twelve metres high and four kilometres in length, furnished with eleven ramparts, they today hold a splendid wooded park.
Piazza Anfiteatro called The Market, positioned in the ancient centre of the city it is of elliptical form in that it was constructed in the form of a Roman amphitheatre. It is completely surrounded by Medieval houses. In 1830 after the urban reorganisation it became a food market.
Il Duomo, Cathedral di San Martino, faces onto the same name square. Founded in the VI century by San Frediano, it was built in diverse phases. In 1200 it was completely remodelled. The elegant marble façade opens with three great arches and has a crenellated bell tower on high. The three nave interior, partially covered in murals, preserves a formidable sculpture (S. Martino on horseback and the mendicant) from the XIII century and the admirable funeral monument of Ilaria del Carretto sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia, and other precious works of art. Near the Cathedral, the Cathedral Museum is found where prestigious works of art and numerous antique illuminated codex from the Medieval to the 1400s are exhibited.
Via Fillungo, crossing the historic heart of Lucca. Noted as one of the most elegant streets in Italy. Important antique palaces which belonged to noble families face onto it and also imposing tower houses.
Via Guinigi, entirely lined by buildings erected in various eras (starting from the XIII century) by the extremely important Guinigi family.
Torre Guinigi in Via S. Andrea looms the very high tower encircled by oak trees. It is part of the Guinigi palace built in 1300.
National Museum of the Mansi Palace, elegant construction of XVII century with delicate murals in the interior, hosts the important works of the National Picture Gallery.
Casa Puccini, the house where the musician was born today is a museum where his documents and musical instruments are preserved.
Church of S. Frediano, built in the first half of the XII century, shows the original tripartite façade overlooked by a huge mosaic of the Ascension from the XIII century. The three nave interior holds a Romanic baptismal fountain, a Robbiana terracotta and works by Jacopo della Quercia.
S. Michele in Foro, it opens onto the same name square showing the exquisite façade with four galleries one over the other. Begun in 1070 it is a significant example of co-existence of two solutions, Romanic and Gothic. The interior preserves important works from the 1500s. |
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