Planet Hero

Traveling To Lucca: An Overview

Nov 11

Miles StoppardItaly Hotel Lucca, Hotel Lucca Italy, Italy, Lucca Hotel, Lucca Hotels, travel 1 Comment

There is so much to see when one is traveling to Lucca. The adventure begins however when one boards the Florence-Viareggio train and makes the seventy minute trip to this ancient city that lies at the northern end of Tuscany. The train takes one through the beautiful countryside and a clear view of the Apuane Alps is ever present.

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.

There are shops, cafes, hotels, and things to see and do in every corner of this beautiful city. The main mode of transportation is bicycling or walking and there are very few cars present. The streets are very narrow and many parts of the city retain the original elements of the Romans who built the city. The architecture shows the changes in architecture that occurred during important events in Italian history.

It is very easy to navigate through the city because the piazzas and streets are laid out on the grid pattern that was established when the Romans built the city. The Piazza dell’ Antiteatro is on a former Roman amphitheater that is surrounded by beautiful outdoor cafes and shops. During the month of December an outdoor market is held that provide the visitor with an opportunity to purchase many unique items that are handcrafted by the townspeople.

The Tower Guinigi is a must see with mature oak trees growing on the top of the tower. Getting to the Tower Giunigi is a wonderful excursion. The entry to the tower is in Via Sant’Andrea which is a narrow lane with lots of antique shops. There is even a shoemaker on this lane. The tower overlooks the town and there are historical artifacts along the steps as one climbs 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.

Traveling to Lucca provides a person with an opportunity to explore both the history and culture of Tuscany and this beautiful town. The people are friendly, warm, and inviting. A person will find that a short stay is impossible when they begin to explore the many lanes, shops, cathedrals, and piazzas that this city offers. Then, there are the parades, festivals, and events that take place daily from September through December. One can watch the spectacular fireworks from the city walls and enjoy the beauty of this wonderful city.

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

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.