One of the oldest and most magnificent cities in the Italian region of Tuscany is Lucca. People leave reviews about this town often. After all, every person who gets here is satisfied. Holidays in the town are wonderful.
Description
Lucca (Italy), the sights of which we will consider in the article, is located near the River Serkio.
Its history is rich in various events. Founded even before our era, the city of Lucca in the period of early feudalism occupied a very favorable position. It was at the intersection of roads that led to Rome, Parma, Florence, Pisa and Looney. In addition, the city was on the way of pilgrims who went from northern Europe to Rome. From century to century, the rulers of the city have changed. By the end of the eighth century, the city was the residence of the Dukes of Lombard, then passed under the auspices of the Frankish Count. It was the capital of the Margraves of Tuscany.
In the Middle Ages it was a rich city. Mainly due to the development of banking and the sale of silk. The city achieved particular power in the fourteenth century, under the rule of Castruccio Castrani. From the seventeenth century to the end of the eighteenth, Lucca was the second largest city in Italy with a republican form of government. During the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, this city was turned into a principality and transferred under the auspices of the sister of the French emperor - Elise Bachchokka. And in the mid-nineteenth century, the city became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. And this is not a complete list of all the political upheavals that fell to Lucca.
The city impresses all tourists with an abundance of its attractions. This is an ancient fortress and magnificent temples, incredible natural beauties and chic restaurants.
Lucca Fortress
What is Italy, Lucca proud of? The attractions of this place are really interesting. The city is famous for its fortress. Especially beautifully preserved are two of the four gates of the once powerful fortress. The Borga Gate, built at the end of the twelfth and beginning of the thirteenth century, as well as the gates of San Gervasio erected in the first quarter of the twelfth century, have great architectural and historical value. Gates made in the Romanesque style, framed on the sides by two beautiful and powerful towers, skillfully decorated with limestone. In the inner part of the hemisphere, rare murals have been preserved. With the image of the Virgin and several saints. Tourists can admire the San Donato Gate, built in 1590. Their exterior facade is decorated with sculptures of two lions made of marble.
The city walls are the oldest in Europe. Their length is more than four kilometers. True, in very small numbers, even the walls built during the Roman Empire have been preserved here. This wall served to protect the city until the beginning of the eleventh century, until it was destroyed by the Marquis Bonifacodi Tuscany for the rebellion of the townspeople. A fragment of the ancient Roman wall is part of the wall of the Church of Our Lady of the Rose. Particularly seriously, the city's inhabitants engaged in the reconstruction of their defensive walls in the sixteenth century, rebuilding them using the best trends in the construction of defensive structures of the time. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, by order of Maria Louise Bourbon, part of the wall was landscaped and turned into a magnificent park. Where in modern times there are not only great places for walking, but also cozy cafes.
St. Martin's Cathedral
It is often said that a city like Lucca is a city of hundreds of temples. The Cathedral of St. Martin was built in the eleventh century, and then was several times rebuilt and reconstructed.
This magnificent cathedral with a marble facade, columns and portals, decorated with sculptures, has priceless relics inside the building. For example, the work of Tintoretto "The Last Supper", "Madonna and Saints" Ghirlandaio.
And sacred and the altar of the temple have the status of a museum. In the cathedral is the most famous relic of the city - the Holy Face.
Church of the Archangel Michael
What else is interesting Lucca (Italy)? Reviews of tourists about this city are usually positive. People write that they liked the local shrines. For example, in the historical part of the city, on the square of San Michele In Foro, is the church of the Holy Archangel Michael. Four tiers of arcades rise above the main facade. At the very top is a statue of the Archangel Michael, slaying a dragon. And on the sides are sculptures of angels. According to legend, an emerald is hidden in the statue of St. Michael. At certain times of the day and with certain lighting, you can see its green glow. And in the left corner of the facade is a statue of the Virgin. According to legend, it was installed by residents in 1480 in gratitude for the miraculous deliverance of the city from the plague epidemic.
Basilica of St. Fredian
What should be seen for those who are interested in a country like Italy? Lucca, whose attractions are simply amazing, must certainly be on the list of cities for visiting every tourist.
After all, there really is something to see here. For example, in the northern part of the historic city center is the basilica of St. Fredian. In the sixth century, there was a church of Saints Vincent, Stephen and Lawrence. At the end of the eighth century, the relics of St. Fredian were transferred here. And in the twelfth century, the basilica was thoroughly rebuilt. In the thirteenth century, the church was built on three meters, and the facade is richly decorated with mosaics. After a couple of centuries, side chapels were attached to it.
The internal paintings of the temple are striking in their splendor and have enormous not only historical, but also artistic value. The relics of St. Zita, very revered by the townspeople, are also stored here.
Lucca (Italy) Attractions
On the square of Napoleon is the Ducal Palace. It is also called the Palace of Signoria. Until the fourteenth century, this place was the Augustus fortress, which was destroyed during the riot of the townspeople. Then a palace was built, which was occupied by many rulers, including Napoleon's sister Eliza Bonaparte, who was the local ruler in the early nineteenth century. The courtyard is surrounded by galleries. Through a wide staircase you can go to the palace itself, which now houses various public services. In the Hall of the Main Council of the Republic is a unique picture of the Flemish painter, as well as a fresco by Pietro Testa “Liberty of Lucca” dating from the seventeenth century.
What else is worth seeing for those who come to such a wonderful city as Lucca (Italy)? Sights, reviews of tourists about which are found most often. Thus, travelers note that Lucca is the birthplace of the outstanding opera composer of the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Giacomo Puccini. Therefore, having arrived in this city, you should definitely visit the house-museum of a famous citizen.
Fans of painting will be pleasantly surprised by the Pinacoteca Palazzo Mansi, where the unrivaled masterpieces of Tintoretto, Titian, Ghirlandaio, Domenichino are located. The grandiose canvases of outstanding masters will bring true delight to art lovers.
What else is worth seeing for those who have visited such a remarkable city as Lucca? Reviews of tourists confirm the fact that the most interesting building in terms of architecture and interior decoration is one of the oldest in the world Dominican monastery, dedicated to St. Roman. The church was consecrated at the end of the thirteenth century, but from one century to the next some extensions were made to it. The luxurious interior is made in the Baroque style. For centuries, the monastery played an important role in the life of the city, until it was abolished during the time of Napoleon. On the left side of the church are the funerary arches of members of the most distinguished families of the city.
As you can see, all the interesting and beautiful sights that are in a city like Lucca (Italy).
What is worth a visitor to the country? Other beautiful temples. These include:
- Church of St. Alexander ;
- Church of St. Anastasius ;
- monastery complex of St. Francis;
- Church of the Holy Savior;
- Monastery Sanctuary of St. Gemma Gallani;
- Church of St. Peter Somaldi;
- and others.
Towers
The hallmark of the city can be called the Guinigi tower, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style. It was built by members of the noble and influential at the time of the Signoria of the Guinigi family.
What other interesting places does the city of Lucca hold in itself? Attractions are very diverse. For example, there is a unique miracle of architecture, which is called a tower with a garden. It is unusual in that trees grow on it. Therefore, when tourists climb the observation deck, equipped at the very top, they can contemplate the wonderful panorama of the city from a height of forty meters, while being in the shade of magnificent trees.
Clock tower
What else should you see for those who come to a city such as Lucca (Italy), reviews of which are always positive?
Another architectural marvel is the Clock Tower. In addition to being the oldest building of the thirteenth century, a magnificent clock is installed on it. They were made in Geneva in 1754.
Theaters and Villas
The city has ancient theaters. Which should you see? The Giglio Theater, which in the nineteenth century successfully competed with the San Carlo Theater in Naples and the La Scala Theater in Milan. It was built on the site of the abolished Jesuit monastery. The interior decoration was performed by outstanding masters of that time. For centuries, operas by famous composers were staged here, and the best singers performed on stage.
In addition, Lucca is a city with many magnificent, luxurious villas and palaces.
Lucca (Italy) is famous not only for its ancient buildings, divinely beautiful nature, museums, which contain the greatest works of the most famous artists of the world, Italy, which tourists leave only positive reviews. This is a city of various festivals. In July, a musical takes place here. Autumn is a comic book festival.
Conclusion
Now you know why Lucca, Italy is interesting. Attractions, photos of which are presented in the article, are worth seeing for every tourist. They are very beautiful.