Lucca-tuscany?

Lucca is an little known town from Tuscany, the Italian region with the highest concentration of artistic masterpieces in the world. Lucca is the gateway to the “secret valleys” and the “Villas Cortesanas”, and it serves as a perfect starting point to visit Pisa, Florence and Siena.Lucca epitomizes the Tuscan classicism that was so admired by the romantic travellers and by the greatest writers of the last century, many of whom decided to emigrate to this exceptional place; representing an ideal blend of farm and city, medieval quietude and thriving Renaissancism. Its well preserved town walls, unique in Tuscany, are now surrounded by beautiful gardens, though they were used for defence at one time. Inside the walls, urban life blooms: infusing famous squares and lively pedestrian streets with the vitality of the Renaissance. Outside the walls, the rolling hills imitate a painting - with luxurious mansions that stand out among olives trees, vineyards and oaks. Americans have named it the “Beverly Hills of the XVII century”. Lucca is, for the traveller, like a time machine that transports them back to the time of the city-states: its venerable walls encompass many former nobleman’s houses and Roman churches. The “Anfiteatro” square, oval shaped, is one of the many attractions of the town, together with the marble Duomo, which hosts many paintings such as Fra Bartolomeo, Bronzino, Tintoretto, and Ghilandaio.

Arches and columns cover the façade of the cathedral as found in Michele in Foro, both masterpieces of Tuscany. Both cathedrals were the early auditoriums for the young boy Puccini, native of Lucca. On the way to Puccini’s house (today a museum) we find Via di Poggio among delicatessen stores, “trattorie” and bicycles. “Via Fillungo”, the main street, hosts stores and coffee shops decorated in timeless art nouveau style. Napoleons’ sister, Elisa Bacciochi, establish her court in “Villa Reale”, famous for its plants and statues.“Villa Mansi” reflects the architecture of the Renaissance, between trees and fountains. The oaks delimit the entrance to “Villa Torrigiani”, whose gardens and fountains were designed by Le Notre. Even more spectacular are the stairs of “Villa Garzoni”, decorated with statues in baroque style. These villas and their gardens, some of them exquisite public hotels today, continue to enrich our lives. What else to visit: The Valley of Serchio located between the Alpi Apuane and the mountains of Garfagnana takes you to the lands of the Etruscans. Nearby archaeological fields, castles, abadias and sanctuaries are all worthwhile excursions. Thermal waters can be found at the romantic Bagni di Lucca.Puccini lived in “Celle” and in “Lago Massaciuccoli”, close to “Versiglia”. Today, both of his homes are museums.

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