Lucca Walking Tour Reviews (Lucca, Italy)

Lucca Walking Tour

Calgary, Alberta

June 5, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo Every visitor to Lucca must circumnavigate the old town by walking on top of the walls.Lucca was a crossroads for trade and an important purveyor of silk, which it sold to both Europe and Asia during the middle ages. In the 15th-century, the nearby ...Read more Every visitor to Lucca must circumnavigate the old town by walking on top of the walls.

Lucca was a crossroads for trade and an important purveyor of silk, which it sold to both Europe and Asia during the middle ages. In the 15th-century, the nearby city state of Pisa ruled. Later, Lucca was taken over by Napoleon and his sister Elisa in the early 1800s, but Lucca eventually regained its independence. The wealth of the city made it attractive to invaders. To keep marauders outside, the walls were built mostly in the 16th and 17th centuries.

A walk along the top of the walls is easily accomplished. The top, wide and green, is like a park and the entire length of the walk is about 4 kilometers, barely more than 2 miles. A few cafes are located on the top but there is no need to confine yourself to the top of the walls. There are many points where you can head down into the old town for a stop at a cafe, bar, or gelateria.

We walked on top of the walls a number of times. Sometimes we circled the entire wall, other times we dropped down into the town to look at sights or do a bit of shopping. On holidays, the walls were very busy but other times, they were a peaceful haven.

Many tourists like to rent bicycles and cycle their way around the top of the walls. When we walked the walls on Easter Monday, the two wheeled traffic was significant and sadly, as well as hazardously, many of those on bikes did not seem to know how to ride them.

The walls let you enjoy the mountain vistas outside the city as well. You will notice a canal runs under the walls and through the eastern end of the city. You can peek into the backyards of some lovely palazzos. A walk will also take you past the botanical gardens.

Walking the walls provides exercise, an overview of the city, lovely scenery and a glimpse into life in Lucca. Each time we walked the walls, we went past a group of card players engaged in a game of bridge. We like to imagine what it would be like to live all year round in Lucca. Close

From journal A Lazy Week in Lucca

Lucca Walking Tour – Part Two

by Tolik

Tampa, Florida

August 7, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo After recharging your batteries cross Piazza Napoleone and visit a courtyard of the Palazzo Pubblico (it used to be Ducal and now the Provincial headquarters). Inside you will find small but friendly information office and a free WC. Return back to ...Read more

From journal Sleeping Beauty, the Tuscany Version

Lovely Lucca Walking Tour

by Tolik

Tampa, Florida

August 7, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo The Lucca's old city center is small and surrounded by the battlements. From the train station steps you will immediately see the flowerbeds of Piazzale Risacoli and behind it the mighty medieval bastions. The footpath leads across the lawn at the ...Read more The Lucca's old city center is small and surrounded by the battlements. From the train station steps you will immediately see the flowerbeds of Piazzale Risacoli and behind it the mighty medieval bastions. The footpath leads across the lawn at the foot of the walls, through the underground tunnel under the bastion of S. Colombano to the Piazzle Arrigoni besides the apse of the Duomo. Alternatively (if you pprefer more theatrical entrance), after crossing Piazzale Risacoli can turn left at Viale Regina Margherita and enter the old town through the Porta San Pietro (St Peter gate), then turn right on Corso Garibaldi. The street brings you shortly to the green lawn of Piazzle Arrigoni. You can walk across the old town in less than 30 min. Leave time to walk at least part of the way around the city’s magnificent walls (Le Nostre Mura as the Lucches call them). The Lucca’s walls enclose dozen or so of churches, quiet paved streets, and several museums and monuments. The streets are dotted with romantic palazzi and the odd towers. Your first discovery will be the beautiful cathedral - Duomo di San Martino (the St Martin Cathedral) with magnificent bell tower. A few steps from the cathedral you will find the church of San Giovanni. After visit to the church turn right on Via Cenamy. On your left you will find charming little church of San Giusto. It worth visit as well. Behind the church you will discover a small square with a colorful market. Before noon you can find here fish, meat and vegetables but if you arrive too late the only chance you have here are the book stalls and some small antique items like coins. Here you will recall that Giacomo Puccini, the Lucca’s famous son was born in the town. Numerous posters will depict scenes from his famous operas (Manon Lescaut, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Turandot). Nearby is the hub of the old town – Piazza Napoleone (AKA Piazza Grande). Numerous cafes, restaurants and shady trees line the sides of the square giving you a chance to make a brake. Close

From journal Sleeping Beauty, the Tuscany Version

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Lucca Walking Tour

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