Our apartment in Bagni di Lucca is a 30 minute drive from lovely Lucca. It is a beautiful town, small enough to be easy to navigate and big enough to have lots of points of interest.
Its best known attraction is the 4.2 kilometre wall surrounding the town. It is a great place to walk, or ride a bike, on the wide street lined with trees. The trees are just about to get their spring leaves. I think it looks gorgeous in any season.
The height of the wall offers an excellent view into, and out of the town.
Corso Garibaldi is famous for its magnolia trees. Normally they bloom in mid March. This winter has been mild and the trees bloomed early.
The dominant statue of Maria Luisa di Borbone in Piazza Napoleon has some friends right now.
These have been created to advertise the Rolling Stones performance at the Lucca Summer Festival.
The huge tiger near the San Michele church has now been dismantled, but he certainly cut an impressive figure. He was part of the Carnevale celebrations a few weeks ago.
The church is impressive too.
Not far from Piazza San Michele is Piazza Cittadella where Puccini sits in front of the house where he was born.
The piazza is also home to Paris Boheme, the excellent restaurant of my delightful friends Luis and David. Say hello, again, to Luis and David from Paris Boheme, Lucca
Via Fillungo is the main street that winds its way through the town. It is 700 metres long and takes its name from the Fillongo family who lived there in medieval times. I can’t go to Lucca without walking at least some of its length. Look out for the clocktower and climb to the top if you feel the need.
A little further on if you stop on the corner of Via Buia and look right you will see the Guinigi Tower with its holm oaks on top. The tower dates from the second half of the 14th century, is 45 metres high and has 233 steps to the top. I have climbed this tower. I climbed the Guinigi tower in Lucca
Further along to the right is the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. The elliptical shape is what is left of the 2nd century Roman amphitheater. It once had about 18 rows of seats and held 10,000 spectators. Now it is a stunning town square. (It is home to my favourite shop in Lucca, Le Sorelle, an excellent homewares shop named for the 4 beautiful daughters of the owners)
Further on to the right is the Romanesque Basilica San Frediano. It was begun by the Irish bishop of Lucca in the 6th century. It haa few rebuilds and the Byzantine style mosaic facade was added in the 13th century. Go inside to visit Saint Zita. San Frediano, a beautiful church in Lucca
Stop for coffee and a pastry at the Saint Zita Cafe in the piazza in front of the church. Photo taken last year…see more of the Cafe and Lucca in a different season. A last look at lovely Lucca…for now
My favourite door in Via Fillungo. The most impressive door in Lucca?
I think it is easy to see why Lucca is one of my favourite towns in all of Italy. Over the last 20 years we have seen its popularity grow. The streets are full of tourists in the season and I feel very lucky to live close by…and be able to visit often and see it without those crowds.