Lucca, Tuscany and its Ancient Walls

Lucca is the only town in Italy entirely surrounded by its 16th century walls. The walls were initially used for military purposes to protect the town, but when they lost their military importance along the years, they became a pedestrian promenade which encircled the old town. 

Lucca is a little Tuscan town rich with Italy's finest medieval and Renaissance architecture, a labyrinth of entwining little streets, one of Tuscany's best-kept secrets.

Lucca was not included in our Tuscany travel itinerary, two members of our travel group from Spain requested for Lucca so we voted and decided to give it a try and I am so glad that we did! 

Lucca is just half an hour drive from Pisa, so make sure to visit both when you drop by this area of Tuscany.  Lucca however caters to the quieter tourist (like me!) who favors private moments. You will encounter more people here on bicycle than on cars.

This is probably the most relaxing walk tour we had on our trip, while eating our gelato we enjoyed the streets of Lucca....

Entrance to Lucca 

Walking the Streets of Lucca:

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, Lucca

This is the famous oval Piazza in Lucca, used to be a Roman amphitheater. During medieval times, houses were built on the Roman remains; later the area was used as a marketplace. Nowadays it is a nice meeting point with cafes and restaurants for both locals and tourists.

  Panoramic view of the Piazza taken from Wikipedia.

  

 Giacomo Puccini's House 

House of the world famous Italian Composer. He was born in Lucca on Dec 22, 1858, the composer of many famous operas like Tosca, Turandot, Madame Butterfly and La Bohème

Chuch of San Michele in Foro and Bell Tower

San Michele in Foro is a Roman Catholic basilica church in Lucca, Tuscany, central Italy, built over the ancient Roman forum. Until 1370 it was the seat of the Consiglio Maggiore (Major Council), the commune's most important assembly. It is dedicated to Archangel Michael. 

                                                                http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_di_San_Michele_in_Foro

The front facade of the church

Church and Baptistery of San Giovanni and Reparata
The Church of Santa Reparata with its adjacent baptistery was built in the 4th century as the cathedral for the city of Lucca.

For more info about his church, pls check this link.

The church of San Cristoforo

Located in the central part of Lucca ,along Fillungo. 

Near the town market situated in the so-called ‘classo Salaiolo’, the church of San Cristoforo played an important political role in the Middle Ages as seat of the ‘consoli delle Cause Lucchesi’. It was rebuilt during the XII century upon the remains of an older construction; the new structure had three aisles separated by pillars and a single apse. The bell tower in the south-east corner of the church is probably from the XIII century. The church was restored during the XIV century when the upper portion of the façade was built with its large rose window.

                                                                                                              http://www.turismo.intoscana.it

Of all the places I've visited in Tuscany, this town is my favorite along with Siena.. hope to visit this place again!  

Thanks for viewing! 

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