Holiday apartment in Lucca: Mura, towers and Puccini

Lucca brings its history vividly to life: The Mura di Lucca have been fully preserved to this day and extend for more than four kilometres as an urban park. You can walk along the walls free of charge or cycle on them.

Culture

The present-day square of Piazza Anfiteatro lies above a Roman amphitheatre from the 1st or 2nd century AD, which was built in an elliptical shape. The architect Nottolini created the present-day Piazza from 1830 onwards. Another landmark is Torre Guinigi: The 45-metre-high tower has a rooftop garden in which holm oaks grow. Together with the nearby Torre delle Ore, it is one of the two surviving towers among Lucca’s approximately 130 medieval towers.

The terrace of Torre Guinigi can be reached via more than 25 flights of stairs with 230 steps. In clear weather, the view extends across the city, the green hills and mountains, as well as to the Apuan Alps in the northwest, the Apennines in the northeast and Monte Pisano in the south. The bell tower of the Cattedrale di San Martino also offers an elevated perspective: Following restoration work, the approximately 60-metre-high tower was opened to the public in August 2016. The climb consists of 217 steps; from the belfry, there is a 360-degree panorama over Lucca and the plain of Lucca.

The Cattedrale di San Martino has an asymmetrical façade and was consecrated by Pope Alessandro in 1070. Inside is the Renaissance sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto. In June 2023, access to the bell tower of the Basilica di San Frediano was also made possible. The tower is 55.20 metres high and, through its 31 openings, offers a special view of the old town and the plain of Lucca.

The history of music is present at the Puccini Museum – Casa Natale. The museum contains the apartment in Corte San Lorenzo where Giacomo Puccini was born on 22 December 1858 and spent his childhood and early youth. The Puccini Museum – Casa Natale is located in the heart of Lucca, between Piazza Cittadella and Corte San Lorenzo. The museum displays original furnishings, handwritten scores and the Steinway & Sons grand piano on which Puccini composed his unfinished final masterpiece, Turandot.

The Via Francigena is also visible in Lucca. The Via Francigena Entry Point Museum is located in the former Casa del Boia and offers an interactive multimedia tour. In the barracks area of Baluardo San Salvatore, the Entry Point also includes a hospitality area with a cafeteria, as well as a refreshment and rest area for relaxing and refreshing yourself before continuing on. Luminara di Santa Croce, a tradition deeply rooted in Lucca’s history, is also part of the city’s cultural identity.

Nature

The Orto Botanico di Lucca covers two hectares on the southeastern side of the historic old town. It was established as a scientific garden in 1820, preserves endangered species and varieties, and supports botanical research and education. Another landscape area is formed by the Parco fluviale del Serchio. There, an 11-kilometre circular route for pedestrians and cyclists runs from the vicinity of Ponte San Quirico to Ponte San Pietro and back.

The Ciclopedonale Puccini runs through the walled city of Lucca and includes the Puccini Museum as a stop along the route. This means that, within the city limits, both the historic walls and a cultural attraction are included along the route.

Lucca railway station is located at Piazza Ricasoli, directly outside the city walls, and can be reached on foot in just a few minutes. In the Lucca area, filled pasta parcels with meat and meat ragù are called Tordelli; they have the classic ridged half-moon shape.

Other local pages:Bagni Di Lucca, Barga, Borgo A Mozzano, Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana, Coreglia Antelminelli, Fabbriche Di Vallico, Giuncugnano, Lucca, Minucciano, Pieve Fosciana, Sillano, Vagli Sotto, Villa Basilica, Villa Collemandina, Altopascio, Capannori, Massarosa, Montecarlo, Porcari, Segromigno, Camaiore, Forte Dei Marmi, Pescaglia, Pietrasanta, Seravezza, Stazzema, Camporgiano, Piazza Al Serchio, Viareggio, Gallicano, Vergemoli, Careggine, San Romano In Garfagnana, Molazzana, Fosciandora, Corsanico, Castiglione di Garfagnana, Vallico di Sotto, Partigliano, Ghivizzano, Marlia, Casatico, Cerageto, Campolemisi, Gorfigliano, Trassilico, Piaggiori, Verciano, Pugliano, Capezzano, Motrone, Cardoso, Renaio, Gramolazzo, Sant'Anna di Stazzema, Torre, Antisciana.

For the higher-level travel overview: Tuscany.