Lucca tourist information
Lucca is without doubt one of the most peculiar village of Tuscany that still keeps alive evidences of an ancient and prestigious history, during which it experienced period of great splendour of art, handicraft, culture, and economy. Its origins date back to a very remote past and, in fact, the early discoveries prove the presence on the territory of Ligurians, Etruscans and, then, Romans. During the centuries, Lucca had always been a sought-after possession because it was a crossing of important roads. After the Romans, Goths, Byzantines, and then Longobards contended it. With Longobards, the village became a duchy and, above all, a strategic passage towards the valley of Tiber and Puglia. Among the people who played an important part in the history of Lucca, the condottiero Castruccio Castracani should be mentioned, while, in the artistic and cultural fields, the town reached a flourishing development thanks to Paolo Guinigi. Another important historical element relates to the intensive and rich silk trading that made Lucca well-known over the Italian boundaries, in the rest of Europe and in Asia. The heritage centre of the welcoming Tuscan town still keeps the original Roman structure, with its narrow roads surrounded by three circles of walls. The streets are enriched with numerous palaces, museums, and churches in Romanesque style. The Church of San Michele in Foro differs from the others for an extraordinary façade that is considered one of the most peculiar of Italy. The Cathedral of San Martino preserves precious works of art, among which sculptures of Nicola Pisano, and a nave dominated by the "Tempietto", an octagonal construction with the Saint's face. Among the museums and galleries of Lucca, the National Picture-Gallery deserves a visit. It is particularly interesting not only for the prestigious paintings it preserved, but also for the unusual rococo decoration of the rooms that house the exposition. The National Museum Guinigi is also prestigious, with paintings, sculptures, ancient furniture, and the collections of objects, owned by the most important families of Lucca. At last, in del Poggio Street, in the house where Giacomo Puccini was born a small museum that collects materials on the life of the famous Italian composer has been prepared. The rooms of the ancient Uffizio della Zecca (Mint Offices) of Lucca, in Sant'Andrea Street 45, house too an interesting exhibition that illustrates the history of coins during the centuries. Inside this ancient office, the "Collegio dei Monetieri" (College of Minters) is opened again. It uses the ancient methods of refining, founding, and engraving of metals, and re-creates the antique coin of Lucca. The tradition of the University of Minters dates back to very ancient times and, besides this activity, a corporation, known as "Collegium Monetariorum", was created. Its members, called "Overieri" (those who mint coins), should pass very difficult admission tests to demonstrate particular uprightness and deep knowledge of the art.
Lucca aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Lucca aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Lucca.
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