Lucca - Part I

Lucca is an old walled city not far from Pisa. In fact, its well-preserved perimeter wall is one of its finest attractions. It takes about an hour and a half by train to reach Lucca from Florence, and it's well worth the trip.
Lucca's Etruscan origins go back a few centuries B.C. Around 180 B.C. Lucca became a Roman colony, and in 56 B.C. Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus met here as members of the First Triumvirate. Lucca has a long history of conquests and defeats. However, in the Sixteenth Century, concerned about the ambitions of Florence, the people of Lucca began building a wall.

Not just any wall. Their wall took years to construct, reaching about two and a half miles in length and about forty feet in height. Additionally, the earth was built up behind the wall to give it substantial depth, at least about forty feet and in places wider. So now, five centuries later, the people of Lucca have an outstanding walking, running, biking path with views encircling their town, not to mention a better wall than Florence should old rivalries flare. I entered Lucca through Porta San Pietro.

Probably wise to avoid this gate during closing time.

Once inside, it's easy to find a path or walkway up onto the wall. There, it's a walker or runner's dream, a wide open road with very few vehicles.

To the inside, there are excellent views of town.

To the outside the views extend to the mountains. Here's a portion of the wall as seen from above.

People of all ages in Lucca ride bicycles throughout the town. Atop the wall I came upon a group who had ridden their bikes to meet and were engaged in a good game of dominoes.

It took about an hour to circle the wall at a good pace, but stopping often for views and to take pictures.

In the second part of this post I'll share some of the town itself. Here's a preview of a blossoming Lucca street.

Ciao.