Location » Lucca

Lucca is one of the most important cities of Italy, internationally famous especially for the city walls which are still intact and date back to the XV-XVII Century, the walls comprehend a perimeter of 4450 meters around the historic core of the city and is one of the four Italian capitals which still boasts intact city walls, as Ferrara, Grosseto and Bergamo; the walls tuned into a pleasant pedestrian promenade in the second half of the nineteenth century and this huge monument is still one of best preserved ancient structure in Europe, because these walls were never used for defense in the past centuries. Thus the historical city center of the city remained almost intact in its original form, therefore Lucca has a variety of architectural works, as the numerous medieval churches (Lucca has even been nicknamed the ‘city of 100 churches’, for the numerous churches in old town),

The town also has beautiful urban spaces: the most famous is the Anfiteatro square, which was built on the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater, very original from an architectural point of view, projected by the architect Lorenzo Nottolini. The main street of the old town is the narrow medieval street Fillungo, where you can find the largest shops of the city

Piazza San Michele, (full of history) and piazza San Martino are the most important and pittoresque squares of the city; in San Martino square stands the Cathedral of San Martino .

Lucca thank to its precious historic monuments and the Giglio Theatre, is candidate to become part of the list of UNESCO World Heritage.

HOW TO GET HERE

BY CAR: From Florence : motorway A11 Firenze-Mare Exit in Altopascio, 20 km from the city center Exit in Capannori, 6 km from the city center Exit in Lucca, 1 km from the city center From Pisa: SS 12 of the Abetone and of Brennero. From Viareggio: motorway ‘Bretella’ Viareggio-Lucca Exit in Lucca

BY TRAIN: Lucca has a very good geographical position: 20 km from Pisa 70 km from Firenze 25 km from Viareggio The bus lines Firenze-Viareggio, Lucca and Pisa-Lucca-Aulla reach Lucca railway station daily.

BY PLANE The city of Lucca is easily reachable because is situated very close to two major airports in the center of Italy. If you arrive in Florence at the airport ‘Amerigo Vespucci’: Take Highway A11, and exit in Lucca. If you arrive in Lucca from Pisa Airport – Airport ‘Galileo Galilei’: Take Highway A11, exit Lucca, or SS12 Abetone and Brenner.

BY BUS: We indicate the main bus stations and related companies, with phone numbers for information Lucca Bus

EVENTS

In the city of Lucca, happen several important appointments about culture, art and tradition.

Most important events:

LUCCA COMICS & GAMES The most important exhibition of comics and role playing in Italy.

LUCCA SUMMER FESTIVAL Music festival with the participation of Italian and international important musicians.

PUCCINI FESTIVAL Takes place in Torre del Lago and presents the works of Giacomo Puccini.

CARNEVALE DI VIAREGGIO One of the biggest and most popular carnivals in Italy, with parades of allegorical cars and masks.

Monthly events:

ANTIQUES MARKET The antiques in Lucca market is organized the third Saturday and Sunday of each month. The stalls are located in the historic Square San Martino, Piazza San Giusto and surroundings. Exhibition and sale of antiques and ethnic objects.   PIAZZETTA DELL’ARTE Exhibition of paintings by contemporary artists. Every third weekend of every month in Piazza and Via dell’Arancio, Piazza San Quirico and via dell’Olivo. www.piazzettadellarte.com

ARTS AND CRAFTS Exhibition and sale of local handicrafts. Works and artifacts made directly on the spot. Every last Saturday and Sunday of each month, in Piazza San Giusto.   STREET MARKET It takes place in the streets nearby the Stadium of Porta Elisa every Wednesday and Saturday from 8.00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m..

Springtime:

EXHIBITION OF THE ANCIENT CAMELASE OF LUCCA LUCCA – March /April The exhibition take place in March and April with many varieties of camellias which were mostly used to decorate the gardens of the villas of Lucca during the nineteenth-century. There are also some varieties cultivated in Tuscany and some modern cultivars. National Exhibition of Botanical Painting and Drawing. Tasting of typical products; concerts, exhibitions, art workshops, performances, music. More information in: www.camelielucchesia.it

EXHIBITION OF FLOWERS AND SWEETS SANTA ZITA LUCCA – April Celebration of the death of Santa Zita. Fair about uncut flowers and ornamental plants.   THE OIL VALLEY (VALLE DELL’OLIO ) VALDOTTAVO E BORGO A MOZZANO – April April Exhibition and tasting of oil of the Serchio Valley.   RELIGIOUS PROCESSION CALLED “DEI CROCIONI” CASTIGLIONE DI GARFAGNANA – Giovedì Santo Holy Thursday: Traditional religious processions during the Holy Week.   AZALEA FESTIVAL BORGO TO MOZZANO – Month End At the end of the Month Exhibition and Market of azaleas and other flowers of the Serchio Valley.

Summertime:

LUCCA SUMMER FESTIVAL July In Torre del Lago are shown with the immortal works of Giacomo Puccini, for more information: www.summer-festival.com

FESTIVAL PUCCINIANO July /Agust A Torre del Lago si rinnova l’appuntamento con le opere immortali di Giacomo Puccini. Sono in programma per il 2007 “Madama Butterfly”, “La Tosca”, “La Boheme” e “La Rondine”. www.puccinifestival.it

Autunno:

SEPTEMBER IN LUCCA (SETTEMBRE LUCCHESE) September Folklore and culture. Fairs and markets in the downtown and in the suburbs of Lucca. The event happens on the evening of Sept. the 13th for the public illumination of Santa Croce. The facades of houses and buildings in the downtown are covered with candles to welcome in a charming passage the procession to which participate voluntary associations, parishes, local authorities and parades in ancient costumes.   LUCCA COMICS & GAMES October / November The most important exhibition of comics and role playing in Lucca, Italy, that attracts thousands of visitors each year. www.luccacomicsandgames.com

Inverno:

CARNIVAL IN VIAREGGIO February One of the most famous carnivals in Italy with a parade of carnival cars and masks in Viareggio www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com

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