Lucca: one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Italy. The magnificent city of Lucca: When is the best time to go?

Lucca (Italy) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Lucca with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Lucca (Italy)

Lucca is a city in Western Italy in the Tuscany region. Located on a plain in the valley of the Serchio River in the northwestern part of the region. Lucca - small charming city merchants and weavers, famous for its historical and cultural monuments, a well-preserved historical center and virtually intact 16th-century city walls. The climate is Mediterranean with dry and hot summers and cool, rainy winters.

Practical information

Population - 89.4 thousand people.
Area - 185.8 square kilometers.
Language - Italian.
Currency - euro.
Visa - Schengen.
Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
The main shopping street, Via Fillungo, crosses the historical center from north to south. Here you can find various Italian designer stores such as: Missoni, Armani, Max Maria, etc.
Only in Lucca can you try a special sweet bread in the form of a small baguette or bun flavored with anise and raisins. It's called Buccellato.
Majority local restaurants and many shops may be closed from 13.00 to 17.00.
Bars and other similar establishments can be found in the areas of San Colombano, San Michele.
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 has remained virtually unchanged.

During the Middle Ages, Lucca played an important role in trade, as routes from Rome, Florence, Parma and Pisa converged here. In the 8th century, the residence of the Lombard princes was located here. After the collapse of the Carolingian Empire, Lucca was the residence of the rulers of Tuscany until they moved to Florence in the 12th century.

In the late Middle Ages the city did not lose its importance. Lucca grew rich thanks to trade (especially the sale of silk) and artisans (weavers). In the 15th century, the city lost the regional palm to Florence. At the beginning of the 19th century, during the Napoleonic wars, Lucca became part of the principality, which belonged to Bonaparte's sister Eliza. After the defeat of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna, a duchy of the same name was formed, which in the mid-19th century became part of Tuscany.

How to get there

The nearest airport is Pisa, just 20 minutes away by train. However, there are no direct trains from the airport. You need to first get to Pisa, and then to railway station Lucca. Trains run every 30 minutes. Tickets cost just over 3 euros. Lucca is also on the Viareggio-Florence (Santa Maria Novella) line. Trains from the capital of Tuscany leave every hour. Tickets cost 7 euros.

Attractions

The most important attractions of Lucca.

Old city Lucca is very charming and interesting. Its main highlight is the chain of city walls, which is 4 km long. The city's fortifications had 11 towers and 6 gates. The walls are 12 meters high and up to 30 meters thick at the base. They were built by Flemish engineers in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Cathedral St. Martina is a masterpiece of the Romanesque style. It was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier church. The cathedral stands out for its beautiful columns and rich interior, to which many famous masters contributed. On the right is a massive 69-meter-high bell tower made of light travertine and brick. Inside the cathedral on the right is the famous stone sculpture of St. Martin and the Beggar, dating from the early 13th century. It is considered one of the best examples of Romanesque style in Lucca. Also notable in the interior are the 15th-century Civitali pulpit, paintings by Ghirlandaio, the sculpture of John the Evangelist by Jacopo della Quercia and stained glass windows. In the left transept is the early 18th century tomb of Ilaria del Carretto and one of the main treasures of the cathedral - the Volto Santo, an image of Christ on the Cross.

On the north side of the cathedral is Piazza Antelminelli and a neoclassical fountain designed by Lorenzo Nottolini. The fountain is the end point of a monumental aqueduct running from the hills of Lucca. On cathedral square You can also look at the palace and garden. Next to the palace is the church of Saints Giovanni and Reparata and the baptistery.

The Guinigi Tower is one of the symbols of Lucca, a tall tower in the very center of the old city with oak trees growing at its top. The tower is 44 meters high and can be climbed. The tower is part of two palaces built in the 15th century. Now they house the national museum.

Church of St. Mikhail - beautiful church 13th century with a marble facade, columns and an elegant bell tower. The interior of the church has retained its Romanesque character and contains many valuable works of art. Along the perimeter of the square of the same name there are ancient buildings made of stone and brick, and among them in the southwest the Prestorian palace of the Renaissance era stands out.

Not far from the church there is a large square dedicated to Napoleon, where the Palazzo Ducale stands - the residence of 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 northeastern part of the square is the small church of San Giusto, built in the 12th century. In general, Lucca is rich in ancient sacred buildings.

San Frediano

San Frediano is a beautiful 12th century basilica. Built on the site of an early 6th century church. The religious building has a beautiful interior and architecture that combines several architectural styles.

Not far from San Frediano is the ancient square of the Roman Amphitheater. This strange oval space is surrounded by multi-story buildings and was once the interior of a Roman arena. Interestingly, the buildings follow the contour of its massive stone walls and are built on their foundations. The amphitheater was built in the second century BC and was largely destroyed during barbarian invasions. Now its fragments lie several meters below street level.

Lucca - beautiful old City in Tuscany, one of the most interesting cities Italy. Literally everyone who had a chance to visit there told me about Lucca.

Lucca is the only city in Italy completely surrounded by a massive fortress wall, which protected the city from floods. The walls were rebuilt many times. The current length of the walls of Lucca is 4 kilometers 450 meters. Several gates have survived that were closed when there was a threat of flooding. Through one of these gates we entered the city.

Eliza Bonaparte was once lifted here and carried into the city using a special mechanism so as not to open the gates during the next flood.

At the beginning of the 19th century, by order of this same Elisa, plane trees were planted on the walls of Lucca, forming wide boulevards around the city.

It turns out that I entered Lucca, violating the Medieval law; in the 16th century, foreigners were allowed to enter the city only through the Porta san Pietro gate, where the customs office was located.

The streets of Lucca are in most cases quite spacious and crowded.

It's not often that you get to experience the Middle Ages in Lucca.

Some very lively, positive city that evokes a comfortable feeling.

Palazzo Pretorio is located on main square city of San Michele, today the building houses the local municipality. On the same square - .

There were quite a few “falling” buildings in Lucca.

Such buildings are residential, however...

Lucca has 130 surviving towers, more than any other city in Italy. - the tallest tower in the city, and the most famous - with oak trees on top.

Towers are found literally at every step.

The 12th-century Church of San Salvatore is located in the square of the same name.

This square is also called Mercy Square.

Lucca is home to several popular museums among tourists. We came across a torture museum, with a real guillotine on display at the entrance.

In the very center of the city, on Napoleon Square, is the Ducal Palace. The already mentioned Eliza Bonaparte lived in this palace.

Nowadays, the Ducal Palace in Lucca houses the offices of various cultural organizations, including the UNESCO Forum.

On an April day, there were a lot of flowers on the streets, not to mention the fact that the famous one simply turned into a flower market.

You can walk along the streets of Lucca endlessly, each time coming across some new corners.

The city is quite big. And there are a lot of tourists there. This is probably the only thing I didn’t like about Lucca...

Many people get around the city on bicycles.

You can rent a bike; we came across several rental shops. However, the pleasure is not cheap.

Next time we’ll try to ride around Lucca on iron horses, although in some places riding a bicycle on the ancient pavement is probably not the greatest pleasure.

Behind such ancient doors hides an ordinary everyday life There are about 80,000 inhabitants of Lucca.

Surveys show that many dream of moving to big cities.

In half a day in Lucca, of course, we didn’t see everything. I managed to look for a minute at the very beautiful cathedral.

We didn’t even get to the Duomo, seeing it only from the clock tower. Next time we will definitely visit. There are many museums in Lucca. And in this city there is the smallest (70 sq.m.) historical theater in the world - Teatrino di Vetriano. And there’s a ton of stuff here that I’d like to see...

If you have never been here, you will be surprised. Lucca(Lucca) - one of the most famous and popular in the Stage on the Via Francigena, home to many foreigners, birthplace of Puccini's music. The city is surrounded by a 15th century wall. with a perimeter of 4 km. Inside is the historical center with narrow streets and picturesque squares, on which stand medieval houses and Renaissance palaces.

A sure testament to how this place ranks among America's favorite places. The city walls were built over the course of a century, from 1504. They are 4.2 km long and 30 m wide and are a unique symbol of the city. From the time of the Roman Empire, a stone circle remains, on which houses now rise. They form Amphitheater Square(Piazza Anfiteatro), where they hold various events and just have a good time.

The secular and religious buildings mainly date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when, thanks to merchants and bankers, the city reached an international economic level. There are a lot of buildings from the commune era, including tower houses, for example, Guinigi Towers(Torre Guinigi) and Clock Towers(Torre delle Ore).

The heart of the city - Napoleon Square(Piazza Napoleone), or as the locals call it, Big square(Piazza Grande). There are located ducal palace, chairmanship of the provincial government (construction began in 1578 according to the design of the architect Ammanati). Also located there Giglio Theater(Teatro del Giglio) and Art Institute(Istituto d'Arte).

This is where events such as Lucca Comic(Lucca Comics) in late October - early November. Also Summer Festival(Summer Festival) in July - a celebration of Italian and world rock music. A little further away stands the majestic Cathedral of St. Martino(Cattedrale di San Martino), a church built in the 13th century. on the ruins of an 8th century church. Inside it are collected true masterpieces by the hands of Matteo Civitali, Paolo Guinigi, Ghirlandaio, Tintoretto, Passignano, Fra Bortolomeo, Jacopo Ligozzi and Alessandro Allori.

On Via San Paolino we find another important square - the square Saint Michele(Piazza San Michele) with the church of St. Michele of the same name from the mid-12th century. It combines Pisan and Romano-Lombard styles. Inside there is a Latin cross and many objects of art, including the famous Madonna and Child by Andrea della Robbia and a table by Filippino Lippi with images of Saints Girolamo, Sebastiano, Rocco and the Empress Helena (also known as Pala Magrini around 1483).

Another Pisan-Romanesque-Lombard church – Basilica of Saint Frediano(Basilica di San Frediano), built in honor of the patron saint of Lucca and depicting him on the facade in the form of a mosaic. Be sure to pay attention to it! The building itself was erected in the Middle Ages, and the mosaics were added seven centuries later. The importance of this church cannot be overstated. Mosaics, interior decoration, a number of Renaissance frescoes, valuable sculptures - all this makes it one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. It also houses the tomb of another patron saint of the city - Saint Dzita, whose mummified body lies in a transparent capsule.

The most interesting churches

In the city of a hundred churches, you can still choose the most interesting of them. For example, church Saints Giovanni and Reparata(Chiesa dei santi Giovanni e Reparata), standing on the square of the same name between Place Napoleon and Place Saint Martino. An ancient basilica with a square-shaped baptistery, whose foundation was laid back in the 4th century. and until the 7th century. served as a cathedral. The church was rebuilt many times, now it is a Romanesque building with a characteristic portal, where a museum with interesting historical finds. Also, concerts of Puccini and just classical music are held here every week. Very interesting also Church of Santa Maria della Rosa(Chiesa di Santa Maria della Rosa) is the heart of another patron of Lucca, Saint Gemma. It was built in 1309 and turned into a chapel, with the Madonna and Saints Peter and Paul depicted inside.

Among the buildings let us also remember Villa Paolo Guinigi(Villa di Paolo Guinigi) 1418, where it is now located National Museum Guinigi(Museo Nazionale Guinigi) - it is not to be missed - with sculptures and finds from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, archaeological materials of the Etruscans, Romans and Ligurians.

National art Gallery (Pinacoteca Nazionale), in turn, is located in Mansi Palace(Palazzo Mansi) 17th century. It contains an excellent collection of Italian and foreign artists: Vasari, Jacopo da Bassano, Tintoretto, Veronese, Bronzino, Andrea del Sarto, Guido Reni, Domenichino, Pontormo, Pompeo Batoni. Two more important attractions of the city are: Botanical Garden and the house of Giacomo Puccini. It was in this house that his most famous operas were written: La Bohème, Tosca, Turandot... The composer was born here, in the historical part of the city, a stone's throw from Piazza San Michele, in 1858 and lived most his youth until he moved to Milan in 1922. Today this building is the house-museum of the great Italian composer. Here you can see items that belonged to his family, including various awards from the maestro from the beginning of his career in Lucca as organist of the Church of San Paolino.

Botanical Garden lies on two hectares in the south-eastern part of the city center. It was founded in 1820 by Maria Luisa Bourbon, Duchess of Lucca (on the initiative of Elisa Bonaparte in 1814). The garden is divided into sectors: fruit plantings, lake, etc. A real oasis of beauty and peace.

Excursion into the history of Lucca

The first traces of human settlement in Lucca date back to the time of the Ligurians. Evidence indicates that the city was founded on one of the islands of the Auser River, or Serchio as it was called in ancient times, so the name of the city itself may come from the root "onion", denoting a swampy place. With the arrival of the Etruscans in the 7th-6th centuries. BC. Lucca experienced a demographic, economic and cultural boom.

The first mention of the city is in the “History” of Titus Livy in 218 BC. After lengthy military operations of the Romans against the Ligurians in 180 BC. Lucca together with Pisa they were annexed to the province of Liguria. In 59 BC. the city became the meeting place of the triumvirate of Pompey, Caesar and Crasso. During the Empire Lucca became an important point at the intersection of the roads of Cassia, Clodia and Aurelia and experienced its heyday (especially in the 1st-2nd centuries AD). The most global archaeological finds- the ruins of the first walls, the Amphitheater, the Terme Massaciuccoli and the Theater - date back to this period.

With the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, the city was occupied by the Goths, Byzantines (552) and Longobards (570), with the last city became the center of an important duchy. The main churches were also built under them. The Carolingians deprived Lucca of primacy in Tuscany (Florence became the center), and in the 10th-11th centuries. the city experienced an era of severe decline.

13th-14th centuries: important years for Lucca

Already in the 12th century. the city began to rise again: entrepreneurs established a new mint and openly began to compete with Genoa and Pisa. Despite endless wars with Florence, Arezzo, Siena, Prato, Orvieto and Can Miniato, the period from the 12th to the 13th centuries. was, without a doubt, one of the most successful in the history of Lucca. The silk trade and the activities of local entrepreneurs in general brought fame and wealth to the city, and in 1119 they made it an independent commune. At the Diet of San Genesio in 1162, the inhabitants of Lucca received full autonomy from Emperor Federico Barbarossa. In the 14th century the city grew, the neighborhoods of San Frediano and Santa Maria Forisportam appeared.

Castruccio Castracani

The struggle between Guelfi and Ghibellini, between Whites and Blacks, between the most influential families, led to power in 1314 by the tyrant Uguccione Faggiola. It took the inhabitants, led by General Castruccio Castracani, two years to free themselves from it. Castruccio's reign was marked by the greatest expansion of the influence of the commune, which in a short time annexed Pistoia, Volterra and Luni, simultaneously defeating the Florentines at the Battle of Altopascio in 1325 and 1327. The general died of malaria in 1328 during his triumphant return from Florence. With his death a new period of decline began. The city passed from one hand to another: King Giovanni of Bohemia, Rossi, Scaligeri, and finally Pisa - from 1342 to April 7, 1369, when Lucca received a decree from Emperor Charles IV on complete autonomy.

15th century and the great Paolo Guinigi

In 1400-1430 Lucca belonged to Paolo Guinigi, and during these years there was a new flourishing that made the city richer and more beautiful. At the same time, the walls were strengthened to resist any invaders.

Lucca in the 16th-19th centuries.

In 1556, the Aristocratic Republic was founded in Lucca (which lasted until 1799). Since the 16th century. the city experienced an incredible flowering of musical culture, thanks to the activities of Guami, Malvezzi, Gregori, Gasperini, Gemignani and Boccherini. This tradition reached its zenith several centuries later with the arrival of Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924).

Principality of Elisa Baciocchi

Three years after the arrival of Napoleon Lucca acquired a new status, becoming in 1805 a principality under the control of the emperor’s sister, Elisa Bacciocchi, wife of Felix Bacciocchi. At that time, many reforms were carried out in favor of the people; sciences and arts flourished. After a short Austrian rule (1815-1817), in 1817 Lucca became a duchy and passed first into the hands of the Spaniard Maria Louise of Bourbon (1817-1824), and then into her son Charles Louis (1824-1847). Their dominance was marked architectural masterpieces Lorenzo Nottolini, who is also the author of the most beautiful road on the city wall. At the same time, the Savings Fund arose, the resort of Viareggio began to develop and thermal springsLucca. In 1847, the Bourbons left the city, where the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was established under Leopold II. By an act of March 11, 1860, it became part of Piedmont, which completed the unification of Italy the following year.

Important events in Lucca

There are many interesting dates Lucca– a very lively city. On September 13, the religious Holy Cross is celebrated, during which a crucifixion procession takes place and the city is illuminated with a thousand lights. Saint Dzita, April 27, Summer Festival, Murabilla, gardening festival, early September; July 12 – Saint Paolino, patron saint of the city; and of course – the Women's Jazz Festival...

Tuscany. Of course, you can hear or read 100 times, but it’s best to see this once a beautiful city together with our positive team of local guides from .

No real traveler would refuse to be in a city with centuries-old 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 the historical center of the city, whose streets follow 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 of the highest quality was produced here, 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 from the second half of the 19th century century, the powerful fortress wall began to be used as a place for hiking. 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 beautiful 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.

This one is little known to mass tourist the city is located 60 kilometers north of the capital of Tuscany - Florence. Currently, it is somewhat overshadowed by other famous Tuscan cities such as Siena, Pisa or Arezzo, but nevertheless, a visit to it is a must for anyone who wants to fully experience the Italian culture of the Renaissance.

Lucca (Italy) - attractions

Lucca's climate is characterized by fairly cool winters for Italy and very hot summers. Temperatures in winter can often drop below zero, and in summer they exceed thirty degrees. The city does not have its own airport; the nearest air terminals are located in Pisa (17 kilometers) and Florence (60 kilometers).

Luca is a city in Italy

It is connected with the north and center of Italy by the A11 toll highway, with the coast Tyrrhenian Sea- A12 motorway. In addition, you can get to Lucca by train from any of the Tuscan seaside resorts or from Florence and Pisa.

Interesting! Lucca (Italy) is the name of this city in Italian. However, the origin of this name is still unknown to scientists. They still don’t have any intelligible versions or explanations for this name. According to one, it came from the Latin lucus (sacred forest), according to the other, from the Celtic luk (swamp place). But there is no evidence to support either theory.

The history of the city goes back more than two thousand years and one culture replaced another here. However, no monuments of Roman architecture have survived here. The only thing that reminds us of the once-existence of a Roman amphitheater here is the square of the same name. Medieval buildings stand closely along the perfectly oval perimeter of the square, as if pressed against each other. You can only get there through two opposite narrow streets. The shape of the amphitheater that once existed here has been perfectly preserved, which makes this place one of the most interesting places to visit for tourists.

However, most of all in Lucca there are attractions dating back to the heyday of medieval Tuscan culture in Italy. Lucca, Tuscany in Italy - one of the most interesting places for visiting.

Luca Italy

Architectural monuments

Immediately upon entering Lucca, the tourist encounters one of its main attractions - the medieval fortress wall, built in the 16th-17th centuries and preserved to this day almost untouched. In one of its bastions there is one of the favorite cafes among local youth.

The city is small, you can easily get around it on foot in three to four hours. While walking around historical center It is worth seeing the brilliant monuments of the local Baroque and Rococo - the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), Palazzo Pfaner, Palazzo Mansi.

The latter houses the local art gallery, which displays, among others, works by such masters as Tintoretto and Veronese. In addition, the Palazzo Mansi admires the magnificent decoration of the palace, preserved from the 17th century, including the magnificent Music Hall.

Important! You can visit the palace from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 and 14:30 to 16:30. Visitors are only allowed on organized excursions. Ticket price is 4 euros*. Children under 18 years of age enter free of charge. You can book a visit online on the website.

Religious monuments

Cathedral (Duomo). The cathedral dedicated to Saint Martin was erected by order of the bishop of the city of San Frediano in the 6th century. Subsequently, it was rebuilt several times and acquired its final form in the 13th century. The Romanesque facade, decorated with three rows of different shapes and colors, was built in 1204 by the famous master Giudetto da Como and later decorated by Lombard craftsmen with magnificent lunettes. The one on the right is especially interesting - depicting agricultural work for 12 months. Inside the cathedral there is a famous tombstone in the style of the early Tuscan Renaissance, made in 1405 by the famous master Jacopo della Quercia, on the grave of Ilaria del Carretta, the wife of one of the rulers of the city, who died at a young age.

Church of San Michele in Foro. One of the most significant monuments of Pisan-Luccan architecture. Construction began in 1070 and was completed in the 14th century. Romanesque-Gothic elements are harmoniously combined in the snow-white facade of the church, on top of which stands a marble and bronze statue of St. Michael the Archangel, made by an unknown Lombard master of the 14th century. Inside is a painting of the Madonna and Child by the famous Tuscan painter Andrea della Robbia.

Note! Church opening hours are from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00 every day, except on Mondays, when they are closed in the morning. The visit is free. There is no strict dress code. If you visit the cathedral in flip-flops and shorts, no one will be kicked out. At the same time, generally accepted standards of decency must be observed. At the entrance, visitors can pick up free booklets describing the main attractions (including in Russian).

Other interesting places to visit in Lucca include the house where the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini was born and spent his youth. Despite some changes that occurred during this time, the environment in which the musician lived was generally preserved. Opening hours: June-August - from 10:00 to 18:00 (Tuesday-Sunday), September-June from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00 (Tuesday-Sunday). The entrance is free.

Neighborhoods of Lucca

There are several things to do around Lucca interesting excursions. One of the most interesting is a tour of the villas of the local nobility. During the trip, which will take 4-5 hours, you can get acquainted with buildings built in the 16th-18th centuries country residences Lucca dukes, counts and other nobles, preserved to this day with large parks and colorful gardens in the spirit of Tuscan park architecture of the 17th century. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00 May-September (Tuesday-Sunday) and from 10:00 to 18:00 October-April (Tuesday-Sunday). The entrance is free.

Altar of the Duomo Cathedral

The second excursion, to the town of Collodi, located 30 kilometers from Lucca, is intended for children. It was there that the author of the book about Pinocchio, writer Carlo Collodi, was born. Now in the city there is a monument dedicated to this literary character. theme park for children and the Collodi Butterfly House, where you can observe over 500 species of exotic butterflies in their real habitat. Opening hours daily from 10:00 until sunset. The entrance is free.

Shopping in Lucca

Lucca is rightly considered one of the main Italian centers for the production of leather bags and leather goods. Along the city's busiest shopping street (via Fillungo) there are many shops selling exclusively locally produced leather goods. All of them are distinguished by high quality and originality, allowing them to stand out from the mass of goods produced by famous brands. Payment is accepted exclusively in euros, cash or by bank cards(Visa, Master).