Things to do in Lucca
Lucca’s biggest attraction is its robust city walls, built 12m high snug around the old city in the 16th and 17th centuries, defended by 126 canons and crowned with a wide silky-smooth footpath just made for a leafy Passeggiata delle mura. Be it strolling, cycling, running or rollerblading, this legendary 4km long circular footpath above the city proffers ahot after shot of local Lucchese life.
Children’s playgrounds, swings and picnic tables beneath trees and a buzz of activity to Baluardo Santa Croce - three of the 11 bastions studding the way - while older kids kicks balls around on the vast green lawns of Baluardo San Donato.
The Cathedral
Lucca’s mainly Romanesque Cattedrale di San Martino dedicated to San Martino, dates to the 11th century is open every day, you can call +390583957068 for the exact time table and visit the website www.museocattedralelucca.it if you want to have more information about this beautiful construction. If you need an accommodation close to the Cathedral, you must stay Alla Dimora Lucense .
Festival & Events
“Puccini e la sua Lucca” - Concert series dedicated to Puccini, with opera recitals and concerts taking place in the Chiesa di San Giovanni; from March to June. For hotel and accommodation have a look at the Albergo San Martino .
Luminaria di santa Croce - Solemn torch-lit procession marking the miraculous arrival in Lucca of the Volsto Santo; 13 of September.
Puccini Festival - The city that gave birth to both Puccini and Boccherini has admirably Catholic musical taste. For more tha 50 years the nearby village of Torre del Lago has been holding this annual festival, spanning July and August.
Lucca Summer Festival - Top performers like Norah Jones, Jamiroquai, Van Morrison, Placebo and Elton John have played at this pop festival in July; information and ticket office on Piazza Napoleone from early June; for more information visit the site www.summer-festival.com
Eating:
Trattoria Da Leo - ask any Florentine where to lunch in Lucca and this wanderful, bustling, noisy trattoria with mixed clientele of student, workers and ladies taking a break from shopping is thay’ll say. Save a corner for the torta di fichi e noci (fig and walnut tart). - Via Tegrimi 1, phone: +390583492236
Locanda di Bacco - It is strictly cucina Lucchese e Toscana - albeit of a refreshingly creative nature - at this fine specimen of a restaurant, grandly situated in an old building, with marble-topped tables. Pappardelle with hare, gnocchi with gorgonzola, honey and nuts, or a side order of cabbage cooked in red pepper wine, garlic and oli are among the many dishes with an imaginative twist. - Via San Giorgio 36, phone: +390583493136
Useful information:
Most of the cars are banned within the city walls; don’t even dare to drive in. Most hotels will give you a permit entitling you to park in spaces reserved for residents and you can park for free outside the city walls. Small electric buses connect the train station, corso Garibaldi and Piazzale Versi but it’s quicker and more pleasurable to walk - a footpath cuts across the moat and up onto Baluardo San colombano on the city walls. Otherwise, follow the crowd and rent a set of wheels in bike-friendly Lucca: Poli 0583.493787 rent both regular city bikes (2,5€ per hour) as well as tandems (5,5€ per hour). For a taxi call 0583.955200
