Important historic city in Tuscany, Lucca (84,000 inhabitants (2008), 19 meters above sea level) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the region. The city is lies in a flat area at the center of the valley of the river Serchio. Lucca, has a valuable historical center, surrounded by stunning walls more than 4 km long, inside the ancient urban fabric has been preserved almost completely intact.

Among the most important attractions of Lucca, we can mention: the aforementioned walls, the amphitheater square, the medieval gate of SS. Gervasio and Protasio, Via Fillungo, Piazza San Michele, Piazza San Martino, the Duomo of San Martino with the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, a masterpiece by Jacopo della Quercia; the city is busy with many other interesting churches, and because of this is called the city of a hundred churches, prominent among them are the ancient Cathedral of SS Giovanni e Reparata with the adjoining baptistery, the church of Santa Maria Forisportam, the Church of Sant'Alessandro, the church of San Michele in Forum. Among the civilian architecture to be reported: the Guinigi houses with the high house-tower crowned with oaks, the villa Buonvisi, the Praetorian Palace, the Palazzo Mansi seat of the Museo Nazionale of Lucca. 

Lucca has Roman origins, that is clearly visible from its topographic map with streets lined disposed towards the cardinal points and the shape of the square of the amphitheater. During the early Middle Ages, Lucca was the capital of Tuscia, site of an important Lombard duchy and one of the main stages of the Via Francigena. In the fourteenth century the city became ruled by the Guinigi through a period of great economic and commercial prosperity. 

Lucca today is an important industrial and commercial center of the footwear and textile, paper manufacturing and agricultural products, mainly wine and oil. 

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Weekly market in Lucca: Wednesday and Saturday
Weekly market, in Via dei Bacchettoni, Piazza Varanini e Via Iacopo della Quercia, every Wednesday from 8.00 to 13.30.
Weekly market, in Via dei Bacchettoni, Piazza Varanini e Via Iacopo della Quercia, every Saturday from 8.00 to 13.30.

Tourist Information Office - Lucca
Informazioni e servizi Turistici Itinera Lucca
Vecchia Porta San Donato, Piazzale Verdi
Telefono 0583/ 583150 Fax 0583/582389

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