Ciao Readers! And happy Monday after Spring Break! We have finally made it to Italy….
The title of this post reflects both its focus, as well as the book from which I got most of the substantive information. As you may recall, back when we lived in Florence (was that real?!), we took a day trip here and had a thoroughly lovely time. Now I have 10 days in which to really explore this place…
Lucca is mainly known for two things – primarily, its wall; secondly, Puccini. Apparently there have been 3 sets of walls built around Lucca, dating back to Roman times; the current wall, which completely circles the town, was built from 1550 to 1650, using much of the town’s resources (human and economic) for 100 years! Either it was money and time well-spent or wasted, depending on your perspective – no one ever tried to bombard the town again (Pisa had in the past). Of course, the walls did little to protect Lucca from “modern” warfare, and Napoleon took over in the early 1800’s and “gifted” the city to his sister, Elisa. Now the wall basically serves one perfect function – THE town park where everyone bikes and jogs and partakes in the lovely Italian ritual known as the “Passeggiata” (ambling, chatting, and basically passing the time). I spent my first two days here doing my own passeggiata – come along with me:
In addition to the lovely wall, the entire town has lots of cool old architecture, complete with more churches than you can count, and relaxing little bistros and shops now occupying the old historical buildings. I am sure I will learn more and post some specifics, but for now, take a wander with me around Lucca (saving my stop at the truffle store to taste and shop for a future post about food), ending at the picturersque building that is my school (which I start tomorrow/today when this posts):
Thanks for joining me!
New Mexico to Italy 
Mom & Pop
/ March 28, 2017Really enjoyed the mini history lesson & of course the most inviting photos are just
incredible!
Webmaster/newmexicotoitaly
/ March 28, 2017Thanks! Apparently the walls also saved the city from flooding once.
bobbi
/ March 28, 2017Lovely photos – we were there only for a day trip so already your photos show me more of the city than I saw in person. Looking forward to the rest of the month!
Webmaster/newmexicotoitaly
/ March 29, 2017Thanks for reading! Don’t know if I would have ended up here if you hadn’t given us that train ticket a few years ago….
bobbi
/ March 29, 2017I forgot all about that!
selma rockett
/ March 31, 2017I so enjoy your blog. Have fun. Love Selma
Webmaster/newmexicotoitaly
/ April 1, 2017Thank you and thank you for reading!
collymarples
/ April 10, 2017We had a lovely time visiting Lucca a few years ago as part of one of our trips to Italy, on this occasion we’d done Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence and Sienna and popped into Lucca too. Love Italy 🙂
Webmaster/newmexicotoitaly
/ April 10, 2017I still haven’t made it to Sienna which everyone loves – always have to have a reason to go back! Thanks for reading 🙂
Newmexicotoitaly
/ November 14, 2018Reblogged this on New Mexico to Italy and commented:
Ciao Readers!
So, this week I am back at the school in Lucca I went to last year. And, since like Florence, Lucca hasn’t changed much and I have come down with a major chest cold, I am taking the easy way out and reposting this blog about Lucca – it is just as picturesque in the Fall. Enjoy….