In Italy, it is not easy to find a place that would not leave a lasting impression even for a sophisticated traveler. Almost any small town is a storehouse of priceless monuments of antiquity and unique color. A vivid example is the city of Lucca.
The medieval sights of Lucca, houses with red roofs and many towers fall in love at first sight. The city looks especially romantic in the spring. When the juicy emerald green of the surrounding meadows and fields is added to the game of shades of red, and the sky pleases with its blueness and cloudlessness.
Story
The city of Lucca was founded in 180 BC Etruscans. Then the city became a Roman colony and remained in the high status of a free self-governing city until the XII century. For some time, Lucca fell under the influence of the ruler of Pisa, but then thanks to the efforts of Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli regained independence for another five centuries.
With the coming to power of Napoleon Bonaparte, the city of Lucca became a principality under the leadership of the relatives of the new emperor. After 20 years, he passed into the hands of the Bourbons, and then already became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Lucca is now firmly associated with the name of Puccini and another musical genius - Luigi Boccherini. The city at one time became the birthplace of these two famous Italians.
How to get there
Russia and Lucca do not have direct flights. The nearest airports are in Pisa and Florence. You can find the right tickets in the form below.
The further path can be overcome in several ways:
The easiest is to book a one-day excursion to Lucca with our wonderful guide Jadwiga. On the same day, in addition to Lucca, you can also visit Pisa with its famous leaning tower. Tours are organized from Florence, Livorno, La Spezia, as well as the spa town known for its thermal springs - Montecantini Terme.
Another convenient way to get to Lucca is to rent a car. To reach the goal, follow the A11 from Florence or the E80 from Genoa. The distance from Florence to Lucca is just over 75 km, you will have to spend at least an hour on the way. It takes longer to travel from Genoa, about 2 hours. The distance between cities is 167 km.
Almost from any city in Italy, Lucca can be easily reached by bus. Most routes end at the main bus station in Verdi Square. Every hour, Lazzi buses run to Florence, Pisa, Castelnuovo, Marina di Carrara and other settlements. The cost of tickets for most of the routes varies from 3 to 7 euros, depending on the travel time and the comfort of the bus.
Finally, you can get to Lucca by rail - the city is located in the middle of the train route Florence - Pisa - Viareggio. Only regional trains run from Florence in this direction. You will have to spend at least 1.5 hours on the way. Tickets cost an average of 7.5 euros.
Transport
In Lucca itself, if you come here by car, you will have to move on foot or by public transport, since the car will need to be left outside the walls of the old city (parking is free). But the city itself is small, and it is impossible to fully enjoy all its sights without getting out of the car.
CLAP Electric Buses - Lucca's Main Public Transport
CLAP electric buses run from the train station with terminus on Corso Garibaldi Street and Piazzale Verdi Square.
The city also has a taxi service. A good compromise between walking and public transport is renting a bike. This can be done at Cicli Bizzarri (Piazza Santa Maria 32) or Poli (Piazza Santa Maria 42). An hour of rental will cost you 2.5 Euros, a day - 12 Euros.
Lucca Hotels
The city of Lucca, in contrast to its "famous neighbors", is pleased with a wide selection of accommodation options that are distinguished by comfort and affordable prices. There are not so many familiar hotels in the city, their star rating does not exceed 4 according to international classification. But in Lucca you can find many cozy and inexpensive guest houses, villas and apartments. You can choose the most suitable accommodation option from the link below.
Lucca Attractions
Ancient monuments in Lucca begin already from the very borders of the old city - the fortress walls have been preserved here. Their total length is about 4 kilometers, and they create a special atmosphere of comfort and unique medieval romance. You can even walk along the ramparts from above - they are quite wide and are planted with picturesque plane trees.
Lucca's main attraction - medieval walls and towers
And the city of Lucca in Italy is called the city of towers. In medieval times there were a lot of towers in the city. Each wealthy city dweller, in order to show his wealth, attached a tower to the house. Unfortunately, to date, most of them have not survived. Nevertheless, one of the towers nevertheless became an unwritten symbol of the city - it is the Guinigi tower covered with oaks. At the top of the tower is now an observation deck, from where it is so nice to admire the roofs of medieval houses.
The Guinigi Tower is decorated with green oaks. A wonderful view of the city opens from the heights
In addition to the towers, Lucca's attractions include many churches. A kind of architectural dominant of the city since the VI century. is St. Martin's Cathedral in Piazza San Martino. Here you can see the statue of St. John the Evangelist, the tombstone of Hilaria del Carretto and even the famous works of Ghirlandaio, Civitali and Tintoretto. Of course, this is not the only religious building in the city. The 14th century gave Lucca many picturesque chapels and small churches. Visit the Basilica of St. Fredian without fail. It contains the imperishable relics of St. Zita.
St. Martin's Cathedral
Not far from the cathedral is a building that will surely attract your attention with its Gothic dome. It is a 14th century Baptistery. It is also worth a visit to the church of San Giovanni of the 12th century and look at the monument to Maria Louise of Bourbon.
Another important religious monument of Lucca is the Basilica of San Frediano of the XII-XIV centuries, notable for its "Ascension" mosaic on the facade. Opposite the church there is a very characteristic square for the city - Piazza del Amphitheater. It was built on the site of the ancient Roman amphitheater of the 2nd century AD.
The Round Square of the Amphitheater - the central square of the city of Lucca
Separately, it is worth telling about the luxurious villas and palaces of Lucca, which are present here simply in breathtaking quantities. It is impossible to mention all of them, we will tell only about the most prominent ones.
Definitely worth a look at the unfinished Palazzo della Provincia hands of the great Ammannati, as well as the interiors of the Palazzo Mansi, decorated with paintings by Tintoretto, Bronzino and Veronese.
The Palazzo Pretorio has served as the "home" of the local city government for centuries
The Palazzo Pretorio, built in the XV-XVI centuries, is also noteworthy. according to the project of Civitali. Do not miss the opportunity to look into the Palazzo Bernardini, as well as the Museum of Archeology at Villa Guinigi.
Cuisine and restaurants
However, not only historical and architectural monuments are considered attractions of Lucca. Local catering establishments cannot be ignored, although such "clerical" terminology is not even entirely appropriate when it comes to restaurants with more than three hundred years of history.
You can enjoy real haute cuisine in the Buca di Sant'Antonio, a restaurant opened in 1782. The prices here are also "high" in every sense, but the dishes on offer (the cost of a meal will cost from 30 euros) are definitely worth it. Here you can try pasta with real hare, lamb with olives or fried kid with artichokes. Of course, dishes are prepared according to traditional Luccian recipes.
Caffè di Simo is famous for its excellent breakfasts. In the interior of the cafe almost nothing has changed since Puccini, who, incidentally, personally played the piano here from time to time. The average breakfast will cost quite "budget" - within 3-4 euros.
For a light bite, you can stay at Forno A Vapore Amedeo Giusti at ul. Santa Lucia 18/20. Here you can buy everything for an excellent picnic, including amazing homemade focaccia cakes with olives, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, mozzarella and artichokes.
At Peperosa Ristorante you can not only have lunch or dinner, but also enjoy the view of the main square of Lucca
You can organize an unforgettable dinner at Peperosa Ristorante in the Amphitheater Square. In addition to fine Tuscan dishes, you will be offered a wide selection of excellent wines. You can also dine well in the Vecchia Trattoria Buralli restaurant on Via San Giorgio.
If you want to combine a meal with an observation of the magnificent panorama of the city, you are definitely in Locanda Eremo del Gusto (Via Gelli 35/37 - Petrognano - Capannori), which serves traditional Tuscan cuisine.
In general, if you’ll even travel through Lucca, be sure to try the local sweet buccillato bread with a characteristic anise flavor. It is sold in the small shops of Taddeucci, as well as in the main square of Lucca, right next to the St. Martin Cathedral mentioned above.
In conclusion of the theme of food and drink, we emphasize that the water in numerous urban drinking fountains is really drinking water - fresh, cold and clean. Local residents constantly collect water in large tanks and carry home.
Other interesting articles:
- 5 most interesting excursions in Florence
- Uffizi Gallery in Florence: history, opening hours, tickets
- Academy Gallery in Florence: Mission Impossible
- Tuscany wines: guided wine tasting excursions in the Chianti and Val d'Orcia valleys
- Square of Miracles, or Where is the Leaning Tower of Pisa
