There are so many things to see, a city of immense historical-monumental wealth for which the proposal has also been made to include its historical center in the #UNESCO World Heritage List, starting with the almost intact walls surrounding it... #tuttitaly
Lucca is among the oldest cities in Italy, known for the Renaissance city wall surrounding the historic center and cobbled streets.
What to see
The visit to the town can begin with a scenic walk on the walls with a view of the most hidden corners of the city. The 4 km long walls can be traveled on foot and by bicycle.
The city can be accessed through six gates built between the 1500s and the early 1900s.
The historic center has maintained its medieval appearance thanks to the valuable architecture, the numerous churches, the towers, and the Renaissance palaces.
Among the towers, the Clock Tower deserves mention. Installed in 1754 by the Lucca watchmakers, the clock still works with manual winding and has a visible mechanism. You can admire it up close by climbing 207 wooden steps.
Another of the most representative monuments of Lucca is the Guinigi Tower, on the top of which grow some holm oaks, seven to be exact.
Also worth visiting are the squares: Piazza dell'Anfiteatro,
built on the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater by the architect Lorenzo Nottolini; Piazza San Michele, the historic heart of the city; Piazza San Martino with the famous Cathedral; Piazza Napoleone commissioned by Elisa Baciocchi during her principality; Piazza del Giglio overlooked by the homonymous theater.
The Duomo is an imposing building of significant visual impact, known as the oldest basilica in Tuscany. The building dates back to the 6th century and was founded by San Frediano.
The facade, made with marble of different colors, is full of small columns, inlays, and relief decorations.
Lucca has been nicknamed the "city of 100 churches" thanks to the abundance of places of worship between churches and private chapels. Two of the most important and beautiful, after the Duomo, are the church of San Michele in Foro and the Basilica of San Frediano.
The Church of San Michele in Foro is where the Roman
Forum once stood, from which it takes its name. It is distinguished by its high ribbed façade full of sculptures and inlays, topped by the giant marble statue of the Archangel Michael defeating the dragon.
The Basilica of San Frediano is one of Lucca's oldest places of worship in the homonymous square. The building is distinguished by the important mosaic on the facade, a rarity for a Romanesque-style church.
On the table
Among the first courses, try the tordelli from Lucca, fresh pasta that is thicker than the classic tortelli, filled with beef, pork, and bread soaked in broth. Among the second course is the rovelline alla Lucchese, which takes you when nothing was thrown away if it could satisfy the appetite of a long day's work.
