Lucca Travel Guide
Little-Visited Walled City
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A secret gem of a walled city lying just 20km east of Pisa in northern Tuscany Lucca has history aplenty amidst its winding backstreets. Gateway to the Garfagnana Valley to the north it is a great place to explore on foot or perhaps by bike. Old churches, quiet piazzas and many small family businesses characterise this less-visited yet worthwhile destination.
Lucca’s was founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman colony in 180BC, however it is thought that the city’s past dates beyond to Ligurian times. The grid format of the city dates from Roman times and there are some traces of an amphitheatre in Piazza dell'Anfiteatro.
The 10-11th centuries saw Lucca as the capital of the feudal margravate of Tuscany, more or less independent but owing nominal allegiance to the Holy Roman Emperor and it remained an independent republic – the second largest after Venice – until 1805 when Napoleon Bonaparte put his sister Elisa in charge. After 1815 Lucca became a Bourbon-Parma duchy and joined Tuscany in 1847 before joining the Italian State.
Today it is a wonderful old walled city off the beaten track and all the better for it.
Attractions in Lucca
Lucca is an oval barely a mile across and is a network of small roads lanes and alleys. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro has the remains of a Roman amphitheatre, the beautiful church of San Frediano, founded by an Irish saint, is worth a visit as is the city’s fine Pisan-style Duomo and museum. Art-lovers will enjoy the Pinacoteca Nazionale, the town's art gallery.
Activities in Lucca
Allow a lazy morning or afternoon to wander the town – it makes a good day trip from Pisa or stop off from Florence if en-route to the Garfagnana Valley.
Relaxing
The town is famous for its pastry shops and there are any number of cafes in the piazzas.
Getting Around
Lucca is easily explored on foot and by bike.
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