Why should you visit the town of Lucca in Tuscany
The Tuscan town of Lucca is a more peaceful and tranquil place than its more populous counterpart, Florence. It is easier to find a quiet corner here and enjoy a moment of solitude, sensing the breath of history. Only during high season and the two annual festivals — the summer festival in July and the Lucca Comics & Games in autumn — does the small, encircled town become crowded.

The name Lucca has a Celtic-Ligurian origin, ‘Luk’, which means marshland.

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Lucca has played a significant role in history. The Tuscan town became a Roman colony around 180 BC, and it served as a meeting place for Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus, the political alliance known as the First Triumvirate. In 56 BC, the Roman provinces were divided among the three of them at the Lucca Conference.

At one point, however, the future of Lucca seemed uncertain. Nevertheless, the city recovered during the 4th and 5th centuries, regaining its position with the restoration of the city walls.

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The heart of the city is the still-standing oval plaza, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, at the centre of the intricate maze-like streets that surround it.

In the 1st century, under Emperor Claudius, the Roman amphitheatre, shaped like an ellipse, was constructed. Over the centuries, it served many purposes — from hosting gladiator fights and spectacles to functioning as a powder magazine, salt store, and local market, in addition to being the site for local assemblies.

 
With all this in mind, it is fantastic to explore the oval square, flanked by picturesque façades in varying shades of yellow, orange, and cream. The area is filled with small cafés and restaurants serving local specialities and fine Tuscan wine — a true gem of a plaza in the old town!

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One of the top basilicas in Lucca, dating back to Roman times, is San Michele in Foro — located at the site of the old Tuscan town market (with ‘in foro’ being the Latin term for ‘in the market’). The current church, in Romanesque and Gothic styles, was begun in the 11th century, though the original church was founded before the year 800. The campanile is magnificent, with a façade featuring blind arcades, sculptures, and intricate columns, each notably different from the others. The summit is adorned with a statue of the Archangel St. Michael. Additionally, the basilica houses a statue of the Madonna, salutis portus.

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While strolling around Lucca, you will notice a significant number of towers scattered throughout the town. These, along with the adjoining villas, date from the 12th to the 16th centuries. Wealthy and influential Tuscan families built these impressive towers to showcase their power.

Despite repeated clashes with the people of Pisa and other powerful noble families, Lucca managed to thrive both economically and politically.

Over the years, the city was governed by various rulers, alternately becoming an independent republic and a duchy. Lucca remained an independent republic for nearly 500 years. In the 1400s, it transformed from an ancient city of medieval towers into an enclosed town, surrounded by the same walls that still stand today.

Photo: Travel In Culture

Photo: Travel In Culture

One of the fun things to do in Lucca is take a tour of the old town atop the town walls. Follow the locals’ lead: rent a bike and cycle the 4 km (2.5 miles) of walkway along the ramparts encircling the town. Look out over the maze of town rooftops to enjoy views of the surrounding Tuscan hills.

In more recent centuries, Lucca has also been a historical focal point. In 1799, Napoleon’s troops invaded the Tuscan town, and it was granted the status of a principality. Later, in 1815, Lucca came under the control of Maria Luisa of Bourbon for several years. Her son, Charles of Bourbon, eventually ceded Lucca to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1847, marking the end of the city’s independence. With the unification of Italy in 1861, Lucca became part of the newly unified country.

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The city’s rich history is reflected in the many historical structures throughout the old town. Lucca is also known as the ‘City of a Hundred Churches,’ a reference to the numerous churches scattered across its streets. Nearly every street corner is home to spectacular buildings, including masterpieces such as the Duomo, the San Martino Cathedral, and the San Michele in Foro.

The Duomo, a cathedral in Pisan style, is a true gem. Dating back to the 11th century, it underwent a significant Renaissance redesign in the 14th century. A splendid bell tower and a lavish marble façade of red, green and white marble adorn the Cathedral. As part of a design competition, each column on the façade was created in a different style. The Cathedral also houses the famous shrine containing the Holy Face of Lucca, or Volto Santo di Lucca in Italian.

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As you experience Lucca’s unique architecture, from the traces of the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Piazza dell’Anfiteatro to the glorious churches and quaint towers of later periods, you will surely fall in love with this picturesque Tuscan town! Sit down in one of the many cafés or restaurants to enjoy an Italian espresso, a glass of Chianti, or an authentic Tuscan meal, and immerse yourself in the historic ambience of Lucca.

Enjoy Lucca, a true gem of Tuscany, and combine it with a visit to Florence or Siena.

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