Lucca-Walled City

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A September 2000 trip to Lucca by travel2000

Quote: How lucky I was to have two Italian friends take me to Lucca for the day. The infamous walled city, probably the only one that exists in italy now. It was truly a beautiful day.

Lucca-Walled City

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Overview

Quote:

The entire day was a highlight, especially after two days of being mobbed by tourists in Firenze. Read on for specific highlights.Quick Tips: This just in! I found an excellent web site on Lucca-I clicked my way through a virtual vist, what a way to relive my day there this September. Here it is: http://www.linketto.it/. Definitely arrive by train-there are connections every hour from nearby Pisa and Firenze. The train station is right in front of the walls and a short walk would bring you to the city center. Parking can be difficult if you decide to drive. Best Way To Get Around: Walking or rent a bike. The top of the walls are actually foot paths. It's a wonderful to stroll once a...Read More

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Roman Amphitheatre

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Attraction

Quote:

This is the only elliptical shape piazza I have ever seen. It has such nice proportions, it's curves framed by medieval houses. The original amphitheatre was from 2 century AD. Part of the theatre was torn down in the middle ages and replaced with private houses. Thus the elliptical shape of this piazza. If you go outside the amphitheatre and look closely at some of the walls of the houses, you can see the remainder of the old walls. My friends pointed them out to me. Wow, that's from a long time ago! Make sure you buy a postcard with an amazing aerial view.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 4, 2000

Roman Amphitheatre
Piazza Anfiteatro
Lucca, Italy

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Palazzo Pfanner and Gardens

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Attraction

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This is a wonderful old palazzo with a well-manicured garden. The best way to see this is from the top of the Wall, on it's walkway. Stand next to a tree and take a postcard photo with the palazzo and garden in the background. I was told that this has been in numerous movies.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 2, 2000

Palazzo Pfanner and Gardens
Passeggiata delle Mura
Lucca, Italy

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San Michele Church

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Attraction

Quote:

Check out the facade of this church-each sculpture that fills this limestone facade is different-you may think it would look disasterous but the effect is simply dazzling. There are sometimes local stalls, we were there on a weekend so I don't know it they are there on Sundays or weekdays.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 2, 2000

San Michele Church
Piazza San Michele
Lucca, Italy

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Walls

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Attraction | "The Walls"

Quote:

When you walk out from the train station, you approach Baluardo San Colombo (one of 10 bastions), one of the many entrances to the city. Walk all the way up, and instead of descending into the city, keep walking and orient yourself. It is such a beautiful stroll around the city. If you want to, rent a bike (i saw a big shop at Piazza Santa Maria, which is also where a tourist information office is, with a nice clean bathroom!).

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 2, 2000

Walls
Around the City
Lucca, Italy

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Piazza Antelminelli

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Attraction

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This is the main market in Lucca, with dozens of antique stalls hawking all kinds of wares. I found some nice silverware as well as old paintings and ceramics. There are also some stalls around town selling local wares. One stall that caught my attention was selling kitchenware made by bark of the olive tree. Beautiful and nicely priced.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 2, 2000

Piazza Antelminelli
Piazza Antelminelli
Lucca, Italy

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Delicious Sweets of Lucca

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Story/Tip

Quote:

One specialty of Lucca is the sweet vegetable torte-it's on the same line as carrot cake, but it's torte with the bottom crust. It reminded me of pumpkin pie, but with the texture of a stewed vegetables. We also had these pistachio macaroons...simply heavenly. You'll see the pasticceria around the city.