Whenever I travel to Italy, my camera is a necessity to capture the memories of a place and its photographic images forever. The images are from Lucca, a delightful city in Tuscany not far from Pisa or Florence.
If you want to spend a day off the beaten path in Italy, make time to enjoy the quiet Tuscan town of Lucca. Lucca is easily accessible by train from Florence or Pisa, and once you arrive at the train station in Lucca, it is less than a 10-minute walk to the town.
Lucca’s uniqueness lies in the fact that this historic center is completely encircled within intact medieval walls. These walls, which date back to the Renaissance measure four kilometers in distance, are 40 feet high and 100 feet wide at their base.
You can’t miss seeing the wall, and walking or bicycling along it is the best way to begin your experience in Lucca. On top of this promenade are trees and grass and the area has a park-like appearance, with plenty of spaces to walk, ride, or sit and enjoy the scenery. The views are phenomenal, and at various points along the walkway, you will find entrances that lead down into the town inside the walls.
Inside the walls the streets are basically pedestrian except for those who live here. A few hours in the lovely town of Lucca left me wanting more. I’ve only visited twice, but know I will return. We take what we can get. Enjoy these images of Lucca.
One of the many outdoor restaurants in Lucca
I love these smart car postal vehicles, perfect for maneuvering the narrow streets.
The town of Lucca is exceptionally clean, and you will even find that the residents take responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs. By installing reminder signs (Fido Lindo) with bag dispensers, at intervals along the walls, Lucca encourages pet owners to clean up after their animals.
The Cathedral of San Martino is located in Piazza San Martino, a main square in Lucca. Founded by San Frediano in the 6th century, the church was rebuilt in 1060, and rebuilt again between the 12th and 13th century.
Inside the walls of the city of Lucca, the homes, buildings and 100 churches date back to the 16th century, and no modern or new construction exists here. You truly feel as if you have been transported to another time, especially as you see gelato vendors on bicycles, Lucchese men playing chess outside, and Italian women dressed in long skirts, pushing bambini in their strollers.
Lucca is an easy town to navigate either on foot or by bicycle, and you can rent bicycles at various locations within the city. The only automobiles that you will see in Lucca are registered to the residents, but there are some areas of the town that are closed to automobiles completely
Sights not to miss
*Guinigi Tower
You can climb the stairs to the top of Torre Guinigi for a breathtaking view of the entire city and Tuscan countryside. The tower is 44 meters high, with oak trees growing on top of it.
*Casa di Pucini
For anyone who is a lover of opera, you will be thrilled to visit the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, famous composer of the well-known La Boheme and Madame Butterfly. His 15th century home is now a museum, where you can view his Steinway piano, which he used while composing his last works.
*Piazza San Michele
This is the city center and it is situated in the area of the ancient Roman forum. This is also the home to the financial and trade meetings of local Italian businesses. If you are an architecture lover, you will easily be able to spend many hours in this piazza alone. The 15th and 16th century banks in the piazza are former palaces, and the Church of San Michele is a 12th century cathedral which dominates the piazza.
You can easily spend a few hours or a few days in this Tuscan city of 85,000 inhabitants, but you will undoubtedly treasure the experience for a much longer period of time. I know I’ll return to Lucca, since a few hours is simply not enough…
Have you been to Lucca? I’d love to hear your feedback, so please leave a comment.
Grazie and Ciao
If you enjoyed this post and want to read more about my love affair with Italy, please check out my books, available on Amazon
dollygoolsby
I do love Lucca, as well as so many other cities in Italy. Each city has its own unique character. I always walk on the wall while my companions bike around it. This is such a good way to see the city. One time when I was there, a race was going on, so we had to stand back and let the runners use the wall. Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures. I will be returning to Lucca in June. Can’t wait to show this city to my granddaughter and her husband.
Tuscan Dreams
I love Lucca it is a must everytime I am travelling through Italy and most times I try to base my Tuscan adventures from the inspiring little town. Thanks for the post and I love your pics.
composerinthegarden
Ah, Margie – love this post! I spent two weeks in Lucca many years ago and fell in love with Italy in general and Lucca in particular. The food is exceptional but it was the sound and smell of the cobblestone streets with only foot traffic that lingers in my mind. I’ve only experienced that in a few other places – Travestere in Rome comes to mind.
You asked in another post about why one loves Italy, and I think that it is the immersive experience – the smell of coffee in the morning, the wonderful little shops lined along narrow streets, the amazing food, the bustle and friendly connection of people out and about – pictures alone don’t convey the total experience. And in my experience, Lucca is the quintessential place for immersion.
Andrew Petcher
I love Lucca. I am certain that I had a beer in that restaurant!
timelessitaly
Nice photos of Lucca! I felt the same way, I wanted to stay longer and explore. Love that medieval wall walk.
margieinitaly
Thanks so much Susan…Your comments always mean so much to me.
Anonymous
Hi Margie, very nice photos! I’m having so much fun enjoying these. I need to make a trip one of these days. Have fun and safe travels
margieinitaly
Thanks so much and I hope you have the chance to take that trip soon!
Sharon, Ticket to Travel
Hi Margie, I am enjoying your posts as you make your way around the boot. I travel to Italy every year, sometimes 2 or 3 times a year. I studied Italian in Lucca and 2 years ago rented an apartment for a month. It’s near to my heart, and you are right, spending more time here is a must. This part of Tuscany is a bit different and the people have their own unique characteristics. I’m happy to have friends there so it keeps me connected. So happy that you are sharing…I wasn’t as good about posting my travels as you are. Buon lavoro!
margieinitaly
Thank you so much Sharon for taking time to read my blog and comment. I will definitely check out your blog. So glad to meet another Italophile!
karenincalabria
I also studied Italian in Lucca at the Koine Center. It must be over 10 years now. I was there for a month and did a home stay very near to the school – old apartment house with a view of the Guinigi Tower and its trees. There were a lot of steps to do every day but my host was lovely and I enjoyed the experience, although I had the habit of getting lost on those curvy streets inside the ring.
greeneyewitchygirlbree55
It does not seem to matter which camera you use, your pictures are gorgeous !!
margieinitaly
Grazie mille / I am glad they are turning out Ok…now that I have 3 cameras!
imarancher
You are so talented with the camera Margie.
margieinitaly
Thank you but it is not hard to do Bonnie with the beauty all around