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We chose Lucca, about 15 miles from Pisa, as our initial destination for getting reacquainted with Italy. Lucca isn’t the most spectacular site in Italy nor the most popular, but its slower pace, few cars, good train connections and bicycling opportunities made it desirable to us. Opera lovers would appreciate that it is the birthplace of the composer Puccini. However, the most attractive feature for us was that Lucca is completely enclosed by a protective wall with origins in the 15th century. Today, the wall is a public park with trees and a wide, flat surface perfect for walking or biking.
Trundling our suitcases from the bus stop to our B&B, we paused at Piazza San Michele, to admire this scene:
The 13th century facade of San Michele church is rather remarkable and topped with a 12 foot tall statue of St. Michael the Archangel:
Lucca has several medieval towers remaining, all a challenge to photograph. In this scanned postcard, Torre delle Ore (with the large clock) and Torre Guinigi (sporting a rooftop garden) stand behind San Michele. Most towers, built originally for protection as well as for prestige, were demolished centuries ago:
Lucca has another unusual sight in Piazza Anfiteatro, seen here in an aerial postcard view:
On this location, once stood a Roman amphitheater. Over time, buildings were constructed abutting the stadium, which slowly disappeared as its stones were recycled. Now, all that remains of the amphitheater is the oval piazza, a great place to stroll or people watch:
Even more spacious is Piazza Napoleone, flanked by heavily pollarded trees just beginning to leaf out. It also has a colorful carousel, which we were tempted to ride except it had no music:
The Cathedral of St. Martin, begun in the year 1063, is a substantial church:
Its architectural impact is somewhat marred, though, by the numerous nondescript buildings attached to it over the years:
When all is said and done, what we enjoyed most of Lucca is exactly what we expected: the town walls for biking and walking. The top of the wall varies in width but is easily 40 feet wide overall and wonderfully shaded in summer:
In an hour’s time, the minimum bike rental period, a leisurely speed allows for two laps of the wall. Here we are on the wall, posing for the paparazzi, with one of the tandems we happily and leisurely pedaled:
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