Lucca

Lucca (Italy) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. Lucca’s main attractions with a description, guides and cards.

City Lucca (Italy)

Lucca is a city in Western Italy in the Tuscany region. Situated on plain in the valley of the river Serkio in the northwestern part of the region. Lucca – a small charming town of merchants and weavers, famous with its historical and cultural monuments, perfectly preserved historical center and practically intact urban 16th century walls. Climate – Mediterranean with dry and hot summer and cool rainy winters.

Panorama of the city

1. Practical information
2. Story
3. How to get there
4. Movement
5. sights
6. Video
7. Maps and guides
8. Comments and reviews

Practical information

1. The population is 89.4 thousand people.
2. The area is 185.8 square kilometers.
3. The language is Italian.
4. Currency – Euro.
5. Visa – Schengen.
6. Time – Central European UTC +1, in summer +2.
7. The main shopping street Via Fillungo crosses the historic center from north to south. Here you can find various Italian designer stores such as Missoni, Armani, Max Maria and others
8. Only in Lucca can you try the special sweet bread in form a small baguette or bun with aniseed and raisin flavor. is he called buccellato.
9. Most local restaurants and many shops can be closed from 13.00 to 17.00.
10. Bars and other similar establishments can be found in areas San Colombano, San Michele.
11. In Lucca you can drink tap water.

Story

The settlement was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. Although there is evidence that the Etruscans lived here before the arrival of the Romans. Interestingly, the layout of the old city and some streets remained almost unchanged.

In the Middle Ages, Lucca played an important role in trade, since Here the paths converged from Rome, Florence, Parma and Pisa. In the 8th century here was the residence of the princes of the Lombards. After decay the Carolingian Empire in Lucca was the residence of the rulers Tuscany, until in the 12th century they moved to Florence.

Lucca, old town

In the late Middle Ages the city did not lose its value. Lucca grew rich thanks to trade (especially the sale of silk) and artisans (weavers). In the 15th century, the city ceded regional palm superiority of florence. In the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic Wars, Lucca became part of a principality that belonged to her sister Bonaparte – Elise. After the defeat of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna the duchy of the same name was formed, which in the middle of the 19th century century was part of Tuscany.

How to get there

The nearest airport is located in Pisa just 20 minutes away on train ride. There are no direct trains from the airport. Must first drive to Pisa, and then to the railway station Lucca. Trains walk every 30 minutes. Tickets cost just over 3 euros. Lucca also located on the line Viareggio-Florence (Santa Maria Novella). Trains from the capital of Tuscany run every hour. Ticket price 7 Euro.

sights

The main attractions of Lucca.

Old city

Lucca’s old town is very charming and interesting. Main its highlight is the chain of city walls, which has a length of 4 km Fortifications of the city had 11 towers and 6 gates. Walls have height 12 meters and thickness up to 30 meters at the base. They were built Flemish engineers in the 15-16 centuries.

Porta San Pietro

We recommend to see the old city gate, in particular, Porta San Pietro on the south side, Porta Santa Maria from the north side and porta san donato in the western part.

Cathedral

Cathedral of sv. Martina – a masterpiece of the Romanesque style. Was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier church. Cathedral stands out beautiful columns and rich interior, to which “attached” hands of many famous masters. On the right is a massive bell tower with a height of 69 meters of light travertine and bricks. Inside the cathedral on the right is the famous stone sculpture of St.. Martin and the poor, dating from the beginning of the 13th century. She is considered one of the best examples of the Romanesque style in Lucca. Also in the interior stand out: the 15th century Civitali department, paintings by Ghirlandaio, sculpture of John the Theologian by Jacop della Curcia and stained glass windows. AT the left transept is the tomb of the early 18th century Ilaria del Carretto and one of the main treasures of the cathedral – Volto Santo, image of Christ on the Cross.

On the north side of the cathedral is Piazza Anthelminelli and neoclassical fountain designed by Lorenzo Nottolini. Fountain is the end point of a monumental aqueduct coming from the hills Lucca. At the cathedral square you can also see the palace and the garden. Next to the palace is the church of Saints Giovanni and Reparata and baptistery.

Guinigi Tower

Guinigi Tower – one of the symbols of Lucca, the highest tower in the the center of the old town with oaks growing on top of it. Tower has a height of 44 meters and you can climb it. The tower is part of two palaces built in the 15th century. Now in them National Museum is located.

Church of sv. Michael

Church of sv. Mihaila – the most beautiful church of the 13th century with marble facade, columns and elegant bell tower. The interior of the church has kept Romance character and contains many valuable works art. Along the perimeter of the same square are old buildings of stone and brick, and among them in the south-west stands out pretorian palace of the Renaissance.

Near the church is a large square dedicated to Napoleon, where there is the Palazzo Ducale – the residence of the rulers since the time of Castruccio. To the southwest is the church of San Romano, built by the Dominicans in the 13th century. In the northeast The square is located the small church of San Giusto, built in 12 century. In general, Lucca is rich in ancient sacral buildings.

San Frediano

San Frediano is a beautiful 12th century basilica. Built on site early church of the 6th century. Religious structure is beautiful interior and architecture, which combine several architectural styles.

Roman Amphitheater

Not far from San Frediano is the ancient square of Rome amphitheater. This strange oval space is surrounded high-rise buildings and it was once an internal space roman arena Interestingly, buildings repeat the outline of its massive stone walls and built on their foundations. Amphitheater was built in the second century BC and largely destroyed in time barbaric invasions. Now his fragments lie on some meters below street level.

Video

Maps and guides

Tourist City Map

Lucca on the map of Italy