Photo Myrabella, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lucca · Tuscany
Things to see in Lucca – page 2
Page 2 of 2 of historic places in Lucca.
- 108historic places
- 88,798inhabitants
- 19 maltitude
The town
Lucca is a city of some 90,000 people (2017) in Lucca province of Tuscany. Its long history goes back to Etruscan and Ancient Roman times, and the city retains pieces of ancient architecture. Lucca's heyday was in the Gothic era just before the Renaissance, and the city contains much marvelous architecture from that era. Lucca remained an independent city state until the end of the 18th century. Giacomo Puccini, one of the best-known opera composers, was born in Lucca, and his house is visited by many opera-lovers every year.
Text from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA, abridged · Wikivoyage
108 places
Villas and palaces 41
Fortresses and towers 25
Museums 20
Abbeys and monasteries 14
Getting there
Rail and road links provide easy access from nearby Pisa and Florence.
By plane: Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA IATA) is 2 km south of Pisa. Flights from most large cities are available daily, and from major airports several per day. Car hire is available from all the major providers.
There's a direct "Viabus" from the airport to Lucca, one hour; buy your tickets (€4) beforehand at the kiosk within the arrivals hall. Otherwise take the "Pisamover" light railway to Pisa Centrale, and change there for trains to Lucca.
Viabus 11 calls at Florence Airport on its way to Florence Santa Maria Novella.
By train: The 1 railway station is just south of the old town walls. Deposit luggage at the Tourist Center just outside.
Trains from Pisa Centrale run every 30 minutes. Lucca is also on the main line from Viareggio to Florence Santa Maria Novella, so there is a direct train at least hourly from both cities.
By bus: The main local operator is Viabus, with regular runs to Pisa, Florence and Barga. The 2 bus station is at Piazzale Verdi, just inside the walls west side of the old town.
By car: Driving inside the walls is mostly reserved to residents, so park your car (there are car parks outside the walls and a couple inside, accessible by non-residents) and rent a bike. Several bicycle rental locations can be found near the north entrance to the city, Porta Santa Maria, near Porta San Pietro and walking from Porta Elisa towards the center.
Text from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA, abridged · Wikivoyage
What to see, according to Wikivoyage
City Walls. You can walk or cycle on top of the ancient city walls. The entire perimeter is approximately 4 km. This gives a good introduction to the city layout. Expect crowds in the summer months.
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro (off the Via Fillungo. A former Roman amphitheatre, but the remains of the amphitheatre are gone. The houses there are of medieval origin, built where the spectator stands were. Duomo di San Martino, Piazza di San Martino. Romanesque cathedral dating to 14th century. Includes a sculpture of the crucifixion attributed to an eyewitness, Nicodemus. Torre Guinigi. This is a tower with trees atop it, a very dramatic sight, with good views of the city. No lift, many stairs. Torre delle Ore. Ancient clock tower with original clock still working. It is possible to go upstairs in this tower for a beautiful view of the city and a good perspective of Fillungo street. Great views of Torre Guinigi's trees. No lift. Puccini Museum. This was Puccini's birthplace and is now a museum about the composer. Palazzo Mansi. Saint Michael's Church (in the center of the Roman Forum). Saint Frediano's Church. Via Fillungo. Main street full of shops and bars. Palazzo Pfanner.
Text from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA, abridged · Wikivoyage · Underlined names link to our own pages.