The beautiful Piazza Napoleone in the centre of Lucca used to be a car park until 1998 when a smart mayor changed all that. Here it is back in the 1960s. Don’t you love all the little Fiats?
Nearly 2 centuries earlier Elisa Bacciocchi , who was princess of Lucca at the time, tore down a collection of medieval buildings to make room for a piazza in front of her palace, Palazzo Ducale. This was very unpopular, as one of the buildings was San Paolo church. There was almost a revolt in the town.
She named the piazza after her brother, Napoleon…no photos.
Now Piazza Napoleone is a wonderful open space that hosts a fabulous summer music festival…and other great things. In winter there is an ice skating rink and in summer, a Merry-go-Round. There are also markets at various times of the year.
Let’s hope it stays car free always.
In fact it is a good idea not to try driving inside the walls of Lucca. It is for locals only. There are cameras dotted around the town and if your car is photographed a fine will appear in the post for you a while later…an unwelcome arrival months after your holiday.
There are exceptions. If you are staying at a hotel in the centre, the comune will be informed and it will be OK to park your car.
There are also a couple of car parks inside the walls where you can park after paying a small fee. One is just inside Porta S. Anna, another is near Porta Elisa and there is some parking at Porta Santa Maria. Unless you are certain that the area you drive in is OK, stay outside the walls.
There is lots to see in lovely Lucca…go to “Categories” on the right and click “Lucca” for more.
I had no idea, definitely a change for the better, especially as I have enjoyed many a Summer Concert in the Piazza. The Script were particularly good this year.
By: Andrea Waterhouse on August 10, 2015
at 10:20 am
I can’t imagine the piazza as a car park, what a waste!
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 10:30 am
Looks like a scene out of a Italian movie
By: Dianne Cant on August 10, 2015
at 10:29 am
I love all the old cars…of course they were new then.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 10:31 am
I like open spaces for different things that are not permanent. What a grand idea. 🙂
By: ranu802 on August 10, 2015
at 11:17 am
It is a wonderful space which is put to good use.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 11:26 am
we’re allowed to drive on the walls of Lucca. It’s because we have a fiat 500, belong to the fiat 500 club and can do that drive on special rallies!
By: Francis on August 10, 2015
at 11:23 am
Lucky you! We have a Fiat 500 (new one) in Australia.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 11:27 am
Those little Fiats are very cute! And there are so many of them too! 😮
By: Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella on August 10, 2015
at 12:39 pm
I love the old Fiats. We have a new one and it is very cute too.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 1:03 pm
I much prefer the Piazza without Fiats, cute as I think they are. We saw Lenny Kravitz there just a couple weeks ago, and the concert was wonderful.
By: sheilasunshine on August 10, 2015
at 12:57 pm
I would much rather see Lenny Kravitz than parked cars in the piazza. Did his pants split?
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 1:04 pm
What a transformation
By: Mallee Stanley on August 10, 2015
at 3:41 pm
Although it was unpopular at the time Elisa made a beautiful piazza.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 11:41 pm
Elisa Bonaparte did a lot for both Lucca and Bagni di Lucca (she changed its name from Bagni a Corsena) and Piazza Napoleone, although highly criticized at the time, has become one of Lucca’s best areas.
By: Mulino Dominillo on August 10, 2015
at 4:15 pm
Elisa did lots for Lucca. She organised schools among other things, and left a lasting legacy.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 11:49 pm
The Fiats are very cute all together, but the piazza is far too pretty to use as a car park. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on August 10, 2015
at 4:44 pm
It is much better as an open space, and it is put to good use.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 11:49 pm
Lucca is such a pedestrian friendly city and I hope it stays that way…..but the cars are cute!
By: Kerry & Jim on August 10, 2015
at 11:38 pm
It is great the the centre of Lucca is largely car free.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 10, 2015
at 11:50 pm
Gotta love it … and someday I will ask you to take us to your favorite secrets in the city.
By: aFrankAngle on August 11, 2015
at 1:03 am
I will gladly take you on a private tour of Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 11, 2015
at 1:31 am
Great decision. I cannot even try to imagine Lucca full of these cars now. I did park inside the walls a couple of times but it was in a designated parking area where you pay. Near where we rented the bikes.
By: Lyn on August 11, 2015
at 5:52 am
I also park inside the walls, but I know where to go. I have been fined in Bologna, so I am a bit careful now.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 11, 2015
at 6:22 am
Ps I would also love a private tour
By: Lyn on August 11, 2015
at 5:53 am
That can be arranged.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 11, 2015
at 6:22 am
Thank you
By: Lyn on August 11, 2015
at 6:24 am
i remember this place as a car park… and later without, but the best i ve seen there was Elton John ….only with his piano , unforgettable !
By: Ta Wi on August 11, 2015
at 10:21 am
It is much better without cars. I have not been to the music festival…one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 11, 2015
at 10:12 pm
Reminds me of that scene from Cinema Paradiso…. You know the one!
By: janinevasta on August 14, 2015
at 11:17 am