Things To See When Traveling To Lucca

November 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

From the time a person boards the train in Florence for the 70 minutes ride to Lucca, they know that an adventure is afoot. The train travels through the countryside and a person can feel themselves being taken back in time. The view of the Apuane Alps and the fields throughout Tuscany seem to meet in this beautiful Northern location.

Sitting on a plateau near the river Serchio, Luca is unlike any other part of Tuscany that one will visit. The terrain is made up of gentle paths and walkways. The most spectacular sight to see when one first arrives in Lucca is the city wall. The entire city is surrounded by a three mile wall that is forty feet high and sixty feet wide. The wall and surrounding area are beautifully maintained and one is able to see the entire city from above.

The winding streets are laid out in the Roman grid pattern that was created when the city was first built. This layout includes narrow lanes and streets leading to piazzas throughout the city. The architecture of the buildings throughout the city provide one with the opportunity to see classic Roman and medieval architecture at it’s finest.

Getting around in Lucca is very easy. The streets and lanes provide entry into a piazza so one is never lost. Each piazza contains a unique sight to behold. The Piazza dell’ Antitetro, built on a former Roman amphitheater is a main meeting place for local residents. It has beautiful cafes, shops, and outdoor seating for visitors. In December, the outdoor market brings locals from all over the region with items that one can purchase.

When a person is visiting a beautiful town and looks up to see mature oak trees on top of a tower, they must investigate. The Tower Guinigi is a fabulous tower whose entry lies at the end of Via Sant’Andrea. Getting to the tower one will find the narrow lane is home to antique shops, a shoe maker, and great cafes. The climb to the tower, which overlooks the city is a marvelous step into the past. The walls of the tower are filled with paintings, diagrams, and artwork that will keep one occupied as they make their way to the top of the tower.

The entire city has beautiful piazzas and cathedrals that are unique and spectacular to see. One might want to visit the Piazza San Michele that lies at cardo and decumaneus, the Roman junction at the center of the city. This beautiful piazza is home to the San Michele Cathedral that has a marble figure representing a statesmen from when it was built.

Surrounded by medieval buildings, shops, and wonderful cafes, a person can slip behind the church to try traditional Lucca cakes at the Taddeucci bakery. On top of the cathedral is the archangel Michele. The wings are mobile and when a person wanders behind the cathedral, they will see the stairs that men climbed to move the wings of the angel during events.

There is so much to see and do in Lucca that one can easily spend an entire vacation enjoying the sights and the people of the town. There are festivals, parades, and events from September through December that should not be missed. The processions and fireworks in September are spectacular and make an unforgettable experience.

Click here for more information on Tips for Travelling to Lucca and Enjoying Lucca and Tuscany’s countryside Courtesy of Hotel Hambros Lucca

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Things To See When Traveling To Lucca

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