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Information About Lucca

Casa Tuscany covers mainly the province of LUCCA, as well as featuring many properties in other areas of Tuscany.

The City


This beautiful, relatively undiscovered city is the equal of many of the more renowned cities of Tuscany. Lucca is situated in the north of Tuscany, ideally located for reaching Pisa airport, the coast, other historic cities in Tuscany and the mountains for skiing. Yet it remains relatively free of tourists and the commercialism that goes with it.

With visible history going back to Roman times, Lucca is probably most famous for its amazing CITY WALLS, a 30 metre wide defensive structure dating back to the 12th century, and still completely surrounding the historic “centro”.

So thick are these walls, car rallies used to be held around the 4 kilometre length, and Marie Louise Napoleon planted hundreds of trees on them, creating a raised Boulevard that can be walked around today.

Within the walls the hidden gems of Lucca can be found by strolling through the twisting streets. There are, for instance, 99 churches within the walls of Lucca, many of them dating from the 1100’s. The grandeur of them, and the many palaces and towers, reflects Lucca’s importance as an independent state and trading centre from 1250 – 1799.

Masterpieces by artists such as Tintoretto, Ghirlandaio, Pisano, Citivali and Botolomeo can be seen in the churches – especially the DUOMO SAN MARTINO AND DUOMO SAN GIOVANNI – and the museums, such as MUSEO DELLA CATHEDRALE, next to the Duomo, and PINOCATECA NAZIONALE in the Via Galli Tassi. The Duomo San Martino also houses the Holy relic VOLTO SANTO – a carved effigy of Christ’s crucifixion allegedly made by Nicodemus, an eyewitness to the event. Every 13th September a dramatic candlelit procession sees it carried through the streets of Lucca.

There is much to do and discover in Lucca, most notably in PIAZZA ANFITEATRO, an oval piazza built on the foundations of the original Roman amphitheatre, now lined with cafes, restaurants and antique shops.

The GUINIGI TOWER is one of the few towers remaining of the 250 that were originally crammed within the walls built as status symbols by noble families. The Guinigi Tower is immediately recognisable by the seven trees planted on it, and the long climb up is well worth it for the breathtaking view of the city and the Apuan Alps in the distance.

Don’t miss PIAZZA SAN MICHELE with its stunning church of the same name, and enjoy a snack or drink while you admire its façade of beautiful columns.

The largely vehicle-free city makes walking and shopping here a pleasure. The VIA FILLUNGO is the heart of the commercial district with exclusive boutiques and shops lining the mediaeval streets. Visit the antique market in Piazza di San Martino on the third Saturday and Sunday of every month. This area is also resplendent with restaurants, pizzerie and cafes, many of which use local produce and all of which take great pride in their food and service.


The Province


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From Lucca itself, a beautifully preserved walled city, we head north along the Serchio river, passing through the WINE-producing area, where the well-known D.O.C. wines Colline Lucchesi and Montecarlo are produced.

At Borgo a Mozzano, see the famous 1000 year old Devil's Bridge, the uniquely shaped bridge with its 5 different arches, which according to legend was built by the devil himself. The valley continues through the increasingly dramatic and verdant landscape with the backdrop of mountains against the sparkling water of the Serchio and the scattered medieval towns and villages creating some of Italy's most striking scenery.

Heading north-east up the Lima valley, you arrive at the elegant BAGNI DI LUCCA, a once grand spa town, where roulette was invented in 1837 in its casino, one of Europe's first, and many famous foreigners including Shelley, Byron and Browning came to take the waters. Its hillsides are dotted with medieval hamlets, and nearby is the ORRIDO DI BOTRI, a dramatic gorge, popular with hikers and picnickers.

Over the hills is Collodi, birthplace of Carlo Lorenzini, author of Italy's most famous literary export, Pinocchio. Here the PARCO DI PINOCCHIO, with its mosaics, labyrinths and sculptures telling the story of Pinocchio, will delight children and adults alike.

Past Bagni di Lucca, the road rises to ABETONE, the foremost winter ski resort in central Italy. Set in a vast forest, it is popular also in summer, with its many restaurants and facilities.

Continuing along the Serchio river, the Garfagnana valley begins. Said to be Tuscany's natural park, the landscape is stunning and rugged, the tall Alpi Apuane visible in the distance. Here you can visit COREGLIA ANTELMINELLI, famous for its museum of locally crafted gesso figures, BARGA, a lovely hilltop town, once part of the state of Florence, and on to CASTELNUOVO GARFAGNANA, the capital of the Garfagnana region, with its delightful 14th Century castle.

Near Barga is the GROTTA DEL VENTO, the cave of the wind, a long cavern of stalactites and stalagmites, abysses and underground lakes and rivers. Open all year round, the temperature inside remains a pleasant 10 degrees. Also well worth a visit is the LAGO DI VAGLI, a beautiful artificial lake, with the church-tower of the submerged village of Fabbriche di Careggine just visible above the water.

The area is within easy reach of FLORENCE( approx. 70km east of Lucca), PISA (approx. 20km south-west of Lucca) and the COAST (approx. 20km west of Lucca).

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