History and sights of the art city of Lucca in Tuscany

The city of Lucca is located in western Tuscany and should at the very least be included in any tour of Tuscany. Lucca also makes an excellent base for your stay in Tuscany. The city is flat, compact and relatively uncrowded making it a very pleasant place to stay. And Lucca definitely fits the definition of “art city”. Lucca’s sights include:

• The Duomo (cathedral of Lucca) – an exquisite Romanesque structure dating from the 13 C, packed with works of art.
• The town walls of Lucca- these massive walls were constructed in the 16 C and 17 C, and now form a very pleasant walking and bicycling route of over 4 km.
• The Guinigi tower – a massive brick tower in the middle of town famous for the holme oaks growing from the top. The tower is part of one of two palazzi, one of which houses the National Museum of Lucca.
• The church of San Michele in Foro, often mistaken for the cathedral on account of its marvellous Romanesque marble facade. The interior contains beautiful works of art, including a famous terracotta work by Andrea della Robbia.
• The Anfiteatro Romano (Roman Amphitheatre) is an oval piazza surrounded by multi-storied buildings that was once the interior of Lucca’s Roman arena. The piazza is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.
• The Church of San Frediano dates from between 1112 and 1147, and is famous for a huge Italo-Byzantine mosaic of Christ flanked by two angels with the twelve Apostles below.

Sights in the vicinity of Lucca

• The Palazzo Pfanner-Controni which dates from 1667 is now a museum of art and artifacts. The Palazzo is famous for its fine garden and an interesting external stairway with loggia.
• The Villa Reale di Marlia (Villa Pecci-Blunt) is located outside of Lucca but is definitely worth a visit by anyone who enjoys Tuscan formal gardens.
• The Acquedotto del Nottolini, often mistaken for a Roman aqueduct was constructed during the 19 C to supply water to Lucca.
• The Ponte della Maddalena is a spectacular mediaeval bridge located in the Serchio Valley, near the town of Borgo a Mozzano about 24 km north of Lucca.
• In the hills around Bagni di Lucca, there are several excellent spas and thermal hot springs, not far from  the Ponte della Maddalena.
• The Ponte Colandi at Fabbriche di Vallico is a very well-preserved customs bridge on the former border of Lucca.

Worth an extended visit. More about Lucca.