Lucca is an Italian town of 90 250 inhabitants, the capital of the province of the same name in Tuscany. It is the main center of the Plain of Lucca. Famous for its historical monuments, it is one of the few capitals to preserve the historic center, rich in ancient structures from various eras, completely surrounded by a sixteenth-century wall that is overall intact and almost unchanged over the centuries. It is a notable city of art in Italy. Officially of Roman origins, but on probable earlier settlements, Lucca, a city of merchants and weavers, maintained its autonomy as an independent state for several centuries until 1799 when the ancient Republic was supplanted, following the French conquest by Napoleonic troops. , giving life to the Principality of Lucca and subsequently to the Bourbon Duchy of Lucca.
Located a few kilometers north-east of Pisa, Lucca stands on a marshy area alongside the river Serchio (Etymologically, Lucca perhaps derives from Luk, a Ligurian root meaning "swampy place or place of light"). The Lucchese plain, the area of the countryside defined as the "Sei Miglia", is separated from Pisa by the Monte Pisano chain and includes Massarosa, Pieve a Elici, Lammari, Segromigno in Monte, Altopascio, San Giuliano Terme, Capannori, Montecarlo and San Martin in Freddana. To the west is the 'Versilia', in connection with the Tyrrhenian Sea. The coast extends from Viareggio to Forte dei Marmi, from Camaiore to Pietrasanta. Moving north from Lucca, one goes up towards the Apuan Alps, the upper Serchio valley, the 'Garfagnana', a mountain area divided between Barga, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Val di Lima and various other centres. Characteristic is Lake Massaciuccoli, located west of the city. The center of Lucca is positioned at the center of the Pisa-Pistoia-Viareggio triangle.
There is no specific period to visit the city. The events are cyclical and the cultural activities remain open in every season. However, summer is recommended to fully enjoy the city walls and attend the characteristic Summer Festival. Furthermore, in cold periods the rains are frequent and the temperature particularly rigid. However, the Comics event takes place between October and November and also attracts foreign tourism, while the theatrical season is suspended during the summer months. On the weekends of November the DESCO is also held, a market exhibition of the province's food and wine products.
The local inhabitants have the squares and the main gates of the
Walls as their point of orientation. Among the most famous squares it is
worth keeping in mind: Piazzale Verdi, Piazza Napoleone, Piazza San
Michele, Piazza San Martino, Piazza San Frediano and Piazza
dell'Anfiteatro. For Via Fillungo we must remember the location of the
Roman amphitheater. Furthermore, the ditches separate the "new" part of
the city from the medieval part.
The most important ports are:
Porta San Pietro (south of the city, near the station);
Porta
Sant'Anna (to the west, it opens into Piazzale Verdi);
Porta Elisa
(South-East, beyond the Fossi, continuing on Via Elisa);
Porta Santa
Maria (To the north, at the end of Via Fillungo).
It is good to
have a map of the city. Orienting yourself is not difficult, at least in
the centre. Lucca is really small, even if full of intricate streets. It
is absolutely not possible to get lost.
By plane
If you arrive by plane, the closest airport is in
Tassignano (IATA:LCV), but it is a small airport. For airliners,
however, the closest airport is "Galileo Galilei" in Pisa. The city is
just over half an hour from Lucca and can be easily reached. Travel
times are further shortened via the motorway network.
By car
Highways
A13 Autostrada A11 Firenze-Mare, with exit at Lucca Est or
Lucca Ovest.
State and regional roads
SS12 State road 12 of
Abetone and Brennero
SS435 Former national road 435 (SS 435), now
regional road 435 Lucchese (SRT 435)
SS439 Ex state road 439 (SS
439), now regional road 439 Sarzanese Valdera (SRT 439)
On boat
In case of arrival by sea, the closest landing place is in Versilia.
On the train
The station is less than five hundred meters from
the city walls which are clearly visible as soon as you leave the
building.
Railway station
By bus
The public transport
network leads into Piazzale Verdi. This is an extended suburban service.
Many tourist coaches also have Lucca as their arrival stop and if they
don't stop in Piazzale Verdi they still stop at the Palatucci car park,
near the Walls.
By bike
You shouldn't have any problems renting a bike in Lucca.
If you choose this option, don't miss the classic tour of the Walls.
Tandem or four-seater bicycles can also be obtained at the sales/rental
points.
Tourist Center, Piazzale Bettino Ricasoli ,203 (Railway
Station Square), ☎ +39 0583494401. The Tourist Center is certainly one
of the first places to go if you want to rent a bike.
By public
transport
Public transportation, including a tour shuttle, is fast
but not recommended. The service isn't comfortable and the city is small
and picturesque, you can walk through it in less than an hour.
Information on public transport can be obtained in Piazzale Verdi.
Another possibility of getting around Lucca is the Tour in a carriage.
They are very picturesque and can be found especially in Piazza
Napoleone or in front of the Theater. Warning, they are not cheap.
By taxi
Radio Taxi Lucca, Piazzale Bettino Ricasoli 1, ☎ +39 0583
1745, info@luccataxi.it.
By car
Getting around Lucca by car is
somewhat discouraged. A large part of the historic center is accessible
only to holders of specific permits (residents, taxis, loading and
unloading goods, disabled people, etc.). The streets are narrow and with
little traffic and the excess of smog has repeatedly jeopardized the
integrity of the frescoes and decorations of the houses. However, there
are many free and paid parking lots. The main paid parking lots are
Mazzini and Cittadella in the historic center and Carducci, Palatucci
and Stazione just outside the walls. A large area of free parking is
present between the Giannotti and the Palazzetto dello Sport and at the
former Campo di Marte hospital, a few hundred meters from the walls.
There is also a parking space for campers in Viale Luporini, about 600
meters from the walls.
Lucca is one of the main cities of art in Italy, also famous beyond
national borders above all for its intact 15th-17th century walls, which
describe a perimeter of approximately 4,223 m around the historic core
of the city and it is one of the 4 Italian provincial capitals to have
an intact Renaissance city wall, together with Ferrara, Grosseto and
Bergamo; the circle itself, transformed as early as the second half of
the 19th century into a pleasant pedestrian promenade, is still today
one of the best preserved in Europe, as it was never used in past
centuries for defensive purposes (note the fact that, until in the early
nineties of the 1900s, the walls were used - thanks to the considerable
size of the roadway - as a real ring road for traffic, even heavy
traffic, around the city.This ended, or at least in part, when a
fast-moving road outside the walls. The last stretch dedicated to
traffic closed in the 80s. the only example in the world of a wall of
this size and with this use).
Consequently, the historic
monumental center of the city has also remained almost intact in its
original appearance, thus being able to include various valuable
architectures, such as the numerous medieval churches of considerable
architectural richness (Lucca has even been nicknamed the "city of 100
churches", precisely due to the presence of numerous churches in its
historical nucleus, consecrated and not, present in the past and now in
the city), towers and bell towers, and monumental Renaissance palaces of
fine stylistic linearity. The most characteristic tower that
distinguishes it as a city is Torre Guinigi, which belonged to the
homonymous family, with its hanging forest on its top. Torre Guinigi is
just one of the many towers hoisted by the many wealthy families of the
city, Lucca was also historically called the "City of a Hundred Towers",
like other Italian cities characterized by the tendency of the most
powerful families to build their own tower higher than the contenders .
The city also boasts suggestive urban spaces: the most famous is
certainly that of Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, created on the ruins of the
ancient Roman amphitheater by the architect Lorenzo Nottolini and unique
in its architectural genre.
The main artery of the historic city
is the narrow and medieval via Fillungo, which brings together the major
commercial establishments of the city.
Other suggestive squares
are then Piazza San Michele, the historical heart of the city and Piazza
San Martino, religious heart, where the famous cathedral of San Martino
stands.
Piazza Napoleone (also called Piazza Grande by the people
of Lucca), was commissioned by Elisa Baciocchi during her principality,
demolishing ancient medieval buildings including a church. Piazza del
Giglio is located adjacent to it, overlooked by the theater of the same
name, which is to be counted as a theater of tradition.
Precisely
because of its immense historical-monumental richness, the proposal was
recently made to include the walls of Lucca in the UNESCO World Heritage
List.
1 Duomo (Cathedral of San Martino), Piazza San Martino. The Cathedral
of San Martino, or more simply the Duomo, is located at the end of the
homonymous square. The last reconstruction of the building dates back to
the thirteenth century, plus the sides which were completed in the
fourteenth century. The façade is purely Romanesque in style, adorned
with grotesques and monstrous figures. Among the many engravings the
family tree of Mary and a mysterious labyrinth still a source of
speculation and esoteric fantasies stand out. The interior shows Gothic
influences, both for the height and for the abundant use of light and
colors. The Cathedral preserves two of the symbolic monuments of the
city:
The funeral monument of Ilaria del Carretto, which can be
visited only on request.
The Volto Santo, object of worship of the
entire city, as well as inspirer of the Luminara di Santa Croce.
You
can also visit the Cathedral Museum, rich in historical documents and
medieval ecclesiastical finds.
2 Basilica of San Frediano, Piazza
San Frediano. Located towards the final section of Via Fillungo, the
Church of San Frediano has the particularity of facing west rather than
east, for the simple fact that otherwise it would have turned its back
to the village. The facade is composed of a mosaic with Byzantine echoes
depicting the Ascension. It is one of the most archaic churches in the
city (around 1147), rich in frescoes and sculptures. In particular, the
Chapel of the Cross or of S. Agostino or of the relics, entirely
frescoed, is the work of Amico Aspertini (1508- 1509). Many relics kept
inside, including:
The body of Santa Zita, preserved intact in a
case.
The body of San Frediano, on which the main altar was erected.
Various tombstones of the benefactors of the Church.
3 Church of
San Michele in Foro, Piazza San Michele. Located in the center of the
homonymous square, San Michele in Foro (so called because in Roman times
the square corresponded to the city's forum) is decorated in the
Pisan-Lucca style, half Romanesque and half Gothic. The facade is made
in complete fantasy, an authentic bestiary. On the top of the Church is
sculpted St. Michael who knocks down the Devil. The interior is full of
beautiful altarpieces.
4 Church of Santa Maria Forisportam,
Piazza Santa Maria. Inside there are two paintings by Guercino depicting
Santa Lucia and Maria Assunta between Saints Francesco and Alessandro.
5 Church of Santa Maria Corteorlandini, Via Corteorlandini.
6
Church of San Paolino, Via S. Paolino. Via S. Paolino represents the
Romanesque decumanus, From P.le Verdi along Via S. Paolino we arrive in
P.zza di S.Michele which represented the Romanesque forum
7
Church of San Francesco, Piazza San Francesco. The Church overlooks the
homologous square, Nearby we have the Center of Contemporary Art, the
Guinigi Museum, Via dei Fosse, the Walls. The church, recently restored,
is used for concert programming.
8 Church of Santa Maria della
Rosa, Via della Rosa. Opening on request. Near the Walls, it was built
close to the Romanesque walls.
Antelminelli Square
Bernardini Square
Citadel Square
Lily
Square
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro (former Roman amphitheater)
Orange
Square
Guidiccioni Square
Piazza Napoleone or "Piazza Grande"
San Frediano Square
San Martin Square
San Michele square
San
Romano square
Piazza San Salvatore or "Piazza della Pupporona" or
"Piazza della Misericordia" or "Piazza della Legno"
Santa Maria
Square
Piazza Santa Maria Corteorlandini also called "Piazza Santa
Maria Nera"
Piazza Santa Maria Forisportam known as "Piazza Santa
Maria Bianca" or also "Piazza della colonna cut off"
Bartolomeo Palace
Bernardini Palace
Palazzo Brancoli Pantera
Buonvisi Palace
Cenami Palace
Palace of the Magione del Tempio
Palace of the Opera of Santa Croce
Palazzo Ducale, seat of the
Prefecture and the Province
Palazzo Fontana-Busdraghi
Palazzo
Galli Tassi, courthouse
Gigli Palace
Guidiccioni Palace
Guinigi
Palace
Palazzo Mansi
Massoni Palace
Palazzo Orsetti, seat of
the municipal administration
Pfanner Palace
Palazzo Pretorio, seat
of the Basin Authority of the river Serchio
Palazzo Santini, seat of
the municipal council
Sardis Palace
Palazzo Sardini
Palazzo
Tucci
Royal College of Lucca
Tower of the Hours
Guinigi Tower
Elise Garden
Romagna garden
The city walls
The current
walls of Lucca are a brilliant example of Renaissance urban
fortification.
Gates of the Walls
Access is allowed inside the
city by passing the walls through six gates, which starting from the
north and clockwise are:
Santa Maria gate (1592),
Porta San Jacopo
or Porta San Jacopo alla Tomba (1930),
Porta Elisa (1811), dedicated
to Elisa Baciocchi,
St. Peter's gate (1565),
Porta Sant'Anna or
Porta Vittorio Emanuele or Buco di Sant'Anna (1910),
Porta San Donato
(1629).
It is also possible to enter the city from the posterns
of the ramparts and from a passage opened in the 19th century to allow
the passage of a narrow-gauge railway, now suppressed. These accessions
are commonly known as "sorties".
Other gates, dating back to
earlier wall layouts, are still visible within the current walls:
ancient Porta San Donato (1590), inside Piazza San Donato is the seat of
the tourist reception center managed by Itinera,
porta San Gervasio
(1198), along via del Fosso at the crossroads with via Elisa is from the
Middle Ages,
porta dei Borghi at one end of via Fillungo in the
direction of piazza Santa Maria dates back to the Middle Ages.
Every year, on the occasion of the Feast of the Exaltation of the
Holy Cross (Lucca), on the evening before 14 September, the long
religious procession winds through the city. The purpose of the
procession is to gather in the church of S. Martino, the Cathedral of
Lucca, around the Holy Face of Lucca, the wooden Crucifix which bears
the true features of the face of Christ. In the stupendous setting of
the city illuminated by thousands of wax lights, all the parishes of the
Lucca area parade, political offices, religious offices, musical bands,
the folkloristic Association of Lucca people in the world, crossbowmen
and figures in medieval dress since 2007 the luminara is called
paintings with the characteristic shapes of the banners carried
throughout the luminara
Every year, on the evening of July 12, on the
occasion of the Feast of San Paolino, the patron saint of Lucca, the
traditional Palio della Balestra di Lucca is disputed between shooters
belonging to the citizens' districts. The competition takes place
according to the regulation of 1443 which turns out to be the oldest
shooting regulation in Europe.
Every year in September, in the
basement of the bulwark of San Pietro under the walls of Lucca, the
Medieval Fair of the Holy Cross takes place, a historic event aimed at
reviving an ancient Market Fair where you can admire stalls of artisans,
merchants, musicians , jugglers and street artists.
Lucca Comics &
Games takes place every year between the end of October and the
beginning of November, considered the second most important convention
in the world (after the Japanese Comiket) dedicated to the world of
comics, animation, games and video games.
Since 1995, in October,
LuccAutori has been held every year, a literary review of depth (Dacia
Maraini, Piero Badaloni, Lidia Ravera, Alda Merini, Sergio Zavoli,
Francesco Alberoni, Bruno Lauzi, Arrigo Petacco, Amedeo Minghi, Maurizio
Maggiani, Vittorino Andreoli, Barbara Alberti, Antonio Caprarica, Enrico
Vaime among the famous names hosted). The event is linked to the
Racconti nella Rete (since 2002) and Racconti per Corti (since 2010)
fiction awards.
The Lucca Film Festival takes place in October, a
film event which in 2017 reached its thirteenth edition. The festival is
an annual celebration of cinema in the broadest sense, from mainstream
to experimental and independent. It takes place over 9 days and
continuously alternates screenings, exhibitions, conferences, lessons
and performances. In 2010, the longest film in history, Cinématon, was
shown.
Lucca Digital Photo Fest every year, since 2005, the year of
the first edition, between the end of November and mid-December. A great
photojournalism exhibition, a great international photographer,
photocafes, workshops and portfolio readings (the festival ended with
the 2011 edition).
Every year in September, starting from 2001, the
amateur gardening market exhibition called Murabilia-Mura in fiore takes
place on the Walls of Lucca.
In July, the Summer Festival takes place
in Lucca, a musical event in Piazza Napoleone that hosts internationally
renowned artists and attracts people from all over Italy.
Throughout
the year, since 2004, in the Basilica of San Giovanni, the "Puccini and
his Lucca" Festival takes place, with professional performers and
different programs every night of the year - the only permanent festival
in the world, with pre-dinner events and often also a double concert,
with post-dinner performances too, to give the public a broader idea of
the great genius of Giacomo Puccini.
In May, the event Anteprima Vini
della Costa Toscana is held at the Real Collegio, where many great
Tuscan wine producers take part.
Entertainment is purely cultural. In addition to the theater and museum visits, you can attend conferences or temporary exhibitions. The latter can often be found in the deconsecrated church of San Cristoforo or inside Palazzo Ducale. The botanical garden, flanked by a portion of the walls, is also open to the public. Nightlife is somewhat poor. Piazza Napoleone remains the busiest area in the late hours. In winter the Christmas market is open and the skating rink is set up. The restaurants and some cafés stay open until late, but otherwise, at least in the historic centre, the nightlife is limited to strolls through the villages.
The of
Lucca is located in north-western Tuscany, located in the plain
between the Pizzorne plateau (to the north) and the Monti Pisani (to
the south), near the left bank of the Serchio river, at 19 m a.s.l.
The municipal area reaches a minimum altitude of 1 meter above
sea level. and a maximum of 950 meters above sea level on the
mountainous group of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines called Altopiano
delle Pizzorne (maximum altitude of 1081 meters a.s.l.), with an
altitude excursion of 949 meters a.s.l.
Seismic
classification: zone 3 (low seismicity), PCM 3274 Ordinance of
20/03/2003
In its territory an excellent olive oil is produced; Lucca is part of
the National Association of Oil Cities.
Antiques Market (It takes
place in San Martino and San Giusto squares). It occurs on the third
Saturday and Sunday of each month. It attracts enthusiasts and operators
in the sector, who still have the Via del Battistero at their disposal,
almost entirely dedicated to antiquity and craftsmanship.
Via
Fillungo. It is the busiest commercial street, full of accessories and
clothing shops.
Daniele Squaglia, Via Cenami, 21, ☎ +39 0583 492 140,
info@danielesquaglia.it. Shop, or rather, art workshop in the center of
Lucca, which has been selling antique prints, oil paintings,
watercolours, graphic works, old books and antiques from the sixteenth
century to today for more than forty years. All items sold are delivered
with a regular certificate of authenticity. Online sales are also
available for Italy and abroad.
Shows
Teatro del Giglio, Piazza del Giglio, 13/15 55100 - Lucca
(LU), ☎ +39 0583 46531.
Average prices
Ristorante Giglio, Piazza del Giglio 2 55100 Lucca
(historic center opposite the Teatro del Giglio), ☎ +39 0583 494058,
fax: +39 0583 496827, info@ristorantegiglio.com. 12.30-15.30 19.00 -
22.30 closed on Tuesday all day and Wednesday at lunch.
Trattoria
pizzeria rotisserie Adriana, Via Giacomo Puccini, 1383, ☎ +39 0583
510772. It is a rotisserie with an adjoining restaurant that offers
traditional Tuscan dishes based on meat or fish.
Modest prices
Palazzo della Stufa, holiday apartments, via della
Stufa, 3 (Lucca, Historic Center, behind Piazza San Michele), ☏ +39 329
8254499, info@palazzodellastufa.it. rates starting from 40 euros/night.
Holiday apartment, via Francesco Carrara, 16 (Lucca, Historic Center, in
front of the Walls of Lucca), ☎ +39 329 8254499,
info@viacarrara16lucca.it. rates starting from 40 euros/night.
1 Bed
and Breakfast Lucca Fora, Via Pesciatina 143, ☎ +39 3347819732,
info@luccafora.it. Starting from €45 per night/single room. B&B in Lucca
just outside the Walls, free parking.
Average prices
2 Hotel
Ilaria, Via Del Fosso 26 55100 Lucca (historic center at Porta San
Gervasio), ☎ +39 058347615, fax: +390583991961, info@hotelilaria.com.
rates starting from 89 euros/night. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 12.00.
Hotel in the historic center of Lucca, with rooms and suites located in
two historic buildings. Among the services available: free Wi-Fi,
breakfast included, terrace with jacuzzi, open bar. Available meeting
room and bikes for guests.
B&B Casa San Jacopo, Via Michele Rosi 93
(near Porta San Jacopo), ☎ +39 339 6328832, info@casasanjacopo.it.
Check-in: 2.30 pm, check-out: 11.00 am.
3 Bedroom with View B&B
Lucca, Via San Paolino 8 (historic centre, Piazza San Michele), ☎ +39
348 9203325, info@cameraconvistalucca.it. starting from €50.00/night.
Check-in: 3.00pm, check-out: 11.00am.
Although it falls within the
Mediterranean climates for various types of climatic classifications
in use, that of the City of Lucca is characterized by winter lows
frequently below zero and by a month with summer drought, on average
shortly prolonged. However, it is characterized by certain elements
of continentality due to the high daily and annual temperature
variations. According to the classification of the Koppen climates,
it belongs to the "Csa" group, tending to "Cfsa" in some more
internal areas close to the mountains and in the low hills: it is
hot and muggy in summer with hot days, while it is cold and rigid
during the winter with frosty days; the days of ice are very rare.
In the countryside surrounding the city during the year, in case of
good weather, minimum temperatures are recorded a few degrees lower,
often due to the strong thermal inversion at night, and here the
sensation of cold is greater also due to the high humidity . In
winter there is rarely (but not to be excluded) snowfalls (although
often with little or no accumulation), while in midsummer the low
rainfall, determined above all by the thermoconnective activity that
mainly affects the Apennine areas but also the reliefs of the Apuan
Alps and the chain of the Pisan Mountains, generally occur in the
form of sudden and strong thunderstorms, of short duration but often
associated with hail and gusts of wind. In the high hilly areas of
Lucca the climate is instead sub-Mediterranean temperate "Cfsb",
characterized by warm summer and a short period of moderate summer
drought, while in the small mountain portion it is to be defined
oceanic "Cfb", characterized by warm summer and seasons always humid
(with relative minimum in summer). In the winter period, over 400
meters above sea level, snow is not rare even if it does not stay on
the ground much, given that the mountains of the municipal area are
all less than a thousand meters high. The snow average varies
between 5 cm and 60 cm approximately depending on the exposure and
the altitude: in the city the average accumulation is between 5-10
cm, with a frequency of 1 day per year and with a duration of the
mantle snowy about 2 days. The prevailing directions of the winds
are east between September and April and west between May and
August.
Climate classification: zone D, 1715 GR / G
Atmospheric diffusivity: low, Ibimet CNR 2002
In the municipal area cereals and poplars are grown in the plains, while vines and olive trees are grown in the hills. The woods, both according to the altitude and the exposure, are occupied by varieties of plants, typical of the cold sub-zone of the 2nd type lauretum to the warm sub-zone of the Fagetum in correspondence with the main reliefs. In recent years the climate allows the olive tree to survive and the fruiting cycle from the basal level up to an average maximum altitude of about 800 meters above sea level.
By the Romans Lucca was known as Luca. The origin of the name
according to Silvio Pieri is uncertain. However, from more recent and
concrete toponymic studies, as Riccardo Ambrosini explains, the name
Lucca has references that lead to "sacred wood" (Latin lucus), "to cut"
(Latin lucare) and "luminous space" (leuk, a term used in first European
populations and from which other city names derive, such as Vienna), the
initial hypothesis, today less and less considered true, was that of a
Celtic-Ligurian root luk, "swampy place". Instead, the origin apparently
refers to a deforested wooded area to make room for light or to a
clearing located on a river island of debris from the Serchio, in the
middle of wooded areas.
We find the name of the city of Lucca
mentioned for the first time in a letter that Cicero wrote in 46 BC. to
Brutus, governor of Gaul at the time: Lucius Castronius Paetus longe
princeps municipii Lucensis (Cicero, Epistulae Ad Familiares, 13-13).
Cicero's text, probably indicating one of the first citizens of Lucca in
history, reports the ethnic Lucensis ("Luccans"). The name of Lucca is
also found attested in Tito Livio and, as far as the Greek sources are
concerned, in Strabo (Λοῦκα, Lôuka).
Founded as a Ligurian settlement according to some historians, while
others believe that it is of Etruscan origin dating back to around 220
BC, and developed as a Roman colony of Latin law starting from 180 BC,
in the 6th century Lucca became the capital of the Lombard duchy of
Tuscia for then develop in the 12th century as a Municipality and then a
Republic. Roman Lucca still contains intact many of the typical
characteristics of distant times. The amphitheater, which still retains
its characteristic closed elliptical square shape; the forum, located in
what is now Piazza San Michele dominated by the Romanesque church of the
same name which evokes strong references to the classical world in many
architectural components.
But the most evident Roman trace is in
the streets of the historic centre, which reflect the orthogonality of
the Roman settlement established by the cardo and decumanus,
corresponding to the current via Fillungo-Cenami and via S.
Paolino-Roma-Santa Croce. The first city wall also dates back to Roman
times, delimiting a square area in which, over the centuries, the center
of political power (current Palazzo Ducale) and the religious center
were established. In 55 BC. Lucca was the scene of a meeting of the
first triumvirate between Gaius Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey the Great
and Marcus Licinius Crassus where Caesar saw his proconsulate in Gaul
extended for a further five years.
Lucca in Roman times was of
great strategic importance, as a fortress-city both on the first border
of the Roman Republic and during the empire, in case of "barbaric"
attacks from the north. It should be noted that Lucca is located right
on the "border of the olive tree" of the Italian peninsula, therefore on
the border of the Mediterranean climate that made Roman civilization
triumph, therefore Lucca was for the Romans the fortress-city that was
supposed to protect the heart of the empire from the hostilities of the
continent. The strategic importance of Lucca has also been proven by the
discovery of huge stone blocks, therefore fragments of defensive walls
of unequaled dimensions (compared to other cities, in Peutinger's table,
Lucca is in fact indicated in a stylized way by a fortification) .
This strategic and military importance of Lucca enabled the city to
maintain a high degree of importance in subsequent medieval historical
developments.
Occupied by the Goths in the 1400s and by the
Byzantines the following century, the history of Lucca was characterized
by the fact that it was among the most important capitals of the Lombard
kingdom. In fact, we remember Desiderio third count of Lucca and elected
"Rex Langobardorum" in 756 and the successors Allone, fourth count and
duke of Pisa and Wicheramo, fifth count, who became a vassal of
Charlemagne. Thanks to the presence of the Holy Face in the church of S.
Martino, it became a main stop on the pilgrimage from Rome to Canterbury
on the Via Francigena, one of the most important communication routes of
the Middle Ages. Despite this, very few traces of this historical period
remain.
In 773 the Lombard dominion over Lucca fell, and the
Carolingian dominion began, thanks to the defeat of the Dukes of Lucca
at the hands of Charlemagne. During this period the city consolidated
the important position it had conquered in the Lombard era, developing
thanks to commercial activities and textile production, for which it
became a famous city throughout Europe. Textile production was the
beginning of Lucca's economic growth and, thanks to the start of silk
manufacturing, Lucca imposed itself even more on the European markets.
The very high quality of the product was due to the fineness of the
material and the beauty of the decorations.
In the Middle Ages in
particular, the city grew considerably also in relation to the ancient
Via Francigena of which Lucca was an important stop for pilgrims also
due to the presence of the Volto Santo, a highly venerated relic
representing the crucified Christ and which is still found in the
Cathedral of Lucca , and for the relics of important saints, such as San
Frediano, San Regolo and San Cesario di Terracina, the tutelary saint of
the Roman emperors (transferred from Rome, precisely from the Domus
Augustana on the Palatine Hill, during the pontificate of Pope Alexander
II, bishop of Lucca , and deposited in the ancient monastery of S.
Ponziano; currently they are kept in the Basilica of San Frediano).
In the itinerary of Sigerico, Archbishop of Canterbury, the city,
mentioned as Luca, constitutes the 26th stage (Mansio) of his return
journey from Rome (end of the 10th century).
Despite the
continuous vicissitudes linked to the struggles between Guelphs and
Ghibellines Lucca in the fourteenth century became one of the most
important cities of the Italian Middle Ages. There were many noble
families in power, such as the Nuccorinis who, since 1371, have been
registered with the Supreme Magistrate of the Seniors. Lucca became very
famous for silk. In fact, the silk of Lucca was one of the most precious
and sought after in Europe
Dante Alighieri included many
references to the great feudal families who had jurisdiction there, with
administrative and judicial powers; Dante himself spent many of his
years in exile in Lucca.
Its lord Castruccio Castracani degli
Antelminelli, Ghibelline leader of great political and military ability,
manages to make it become the only antagonist to the expansion of
Florence, leading it to victory (1325) in the battle of Altopascio where
he defeats the strongest Florentine army by pursuing it up to the walls
from Florence.
Upon Castruccio's death, the city fell into a
period of anarchy which saw it subject to the dominion of the Visconti
and subsequently to the government of Giovanni dell'Agnello, doge of the
Republic of Pisa. Regained freedom in 1370 through the intervention of
Emperor Charles IV[13], Lucca gave itself a republican government and
with a shrewd foreign policy it returned to know a notable reputation in
Europe thanks to its bankers and the silk trade. Emperor Charles IV also
granted the city the possibility of equipping itself with a studium
generale, but a real university in Lucca did not come into operation
before 1787.
In 1429 Florence besieged Lucca to take revenge on
Guinigi who had sided with Milan during the previous war; after several
days of siege, Lucca asked for help from Milan and Francesco Sforza was
sent to help Lucca, who overwhelmed the Florentines with his army and
forced them to retreat. A few days after the retreat of the Florentines,
the inhabitants of Lucca had Guinigi arrested because he was said to
have negotiated with the Florentines, later Florence paid Sforza to
abandon Lucca and, in 1430, Lucca was besieged once again. During the
siege the Florentines tried to dam the Serchio to flood Lucca but due to
some mistakes the Florentine camp was flooded. Meanwhile, the Lucchesi
again asked for help from Filippo Maria Visconti who, once again, acted
indirectly (according to a previous treaty Milan could not meddle in the
affairs of Florence) by asking the Genoese to help Lucca. Genoa, relying
on an ancient alliance with Lucca, asked Florence not to disturb Lucca.
When Florence refused, Genoa sent an army of 6,000 men led by Niccolò
Piccinino who attacked the Florentines on the Serchio; after a bloody
battle, the Florentines were forced to retreat because the Lucchesi had
taken them from behind as they left the city.
Apart from a brief
period of lordship like that of Paolo Guinigi, Lucca remained an
independent republic until 1799, the year of its final fall to the
French. On 23 June 1805, at the request of the senate of Lucca, the
Principality of Lucca and Piombino was established, assigned to Napoleon
Bonaparte's sister, Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, and to her husband Felice
Baciocchi.
In the Congress of Vienna it was decided to create the
Duchy of Lucca. On 10 May 1815, Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Spain took over
as regent, who was succeeded by Charles Ludovico of Bourbon-Parma
(1824-1847). In 1847 it was ceded to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In 1860
it was finally annexed to the kingdom of Sardinia.
In 1989 Lucca
won the Premio d'Europa, an acknowledgment given to cities that are
committed to promoting cohesion between European nations. On 24 November
2006 it hosted the Italy-France bilateral summit in the presence of
Prime Minister Prodi and the President of the French Republic Chirac. In
April 2017 it was the host city of the G7 Foreign Affairs, in which the
relative ministers of Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United
Kingdom and the United States took part. Francesco Geminiani from Lucca
was a famous composer and violinist of the Signoria from 1710 to 1714.
Lucca is the destination of the Via del Volto Santo.