Lucca - the top of Tuscany

Off to our 2nd last stop in Italy, we left Sirmione early and headed south to the Northern section of Tuscany to a walled town called Lucca - not far from Pisa and just north of Florence. The map of Lucca below shows the outline of the 16th century brick wall which rings the entire old town.

Our drive was trouble free, up until we tried to find the appropriate gate for entry through these walls - it was Porta Santa Maria, which after a quick couple of circles of the exterior of these walls, we found it, entered and then followed the guidelines along these tiny lanes the Luccans call streets to our small Hotel, Alla Corte degli Angeli, and yes they had parking in a building site down their "lane" and it was at this stage we decided the car could stay there until it was time for us to depart Lucca in a couple of days .

The welcome to Angeli was very warm, just a charming little place, had a proper lift , and the rooms had been recently renovated with soft "fresco" type artwork on the walls .

Below is the ceiling in Angeli's lounge bar and Internet room.

After un-loading the car and unpacking slightly, we then headed off to do the "Wall Walk".

This is the 4th wall around Lucca, preceding it were the roman walls from 180BC, later on the medieval (12th and 13th century) and the third wall completed in 1544. The total length is 4.2 kilometers.

Row upon row of centuries' old trees - chestnut, ifex and plane - line the 60ft wide wall top.

This wall is 40 ft tall

and 98 ft wide at its base.

Within the 4.2 kms there are 12 bastions distributed, ll bulwarks (with ample subterranean areas in the interior)

in which armories and store rooms for gunpowder are still visible

and a moat encircles with protective earthworks and protective barriers

The town gates are provided with draw-bridges and iron bars to bolt the town and make it impregnable. As you wander along this wall there are some lovely sites within this walls

Above - the Basilica San Frediano

We then walked to, and stopped at Piazza Napoleone

for a late Pizza (lunch and dinner) - a great one too!

such a lovely Piazza to relax and eat at

We wandered on past the 11th century - Dome San Martino

and past the other end of the beautiful San Frediano

Dedicated to an Irish Missionary and Bishop (Frediano) - 6th century

Below - we stopped and had a chat with Puccini ( La Boheme) - born in Lucca in 1858.

and then back through the lanes -

Lucca's grid of streets still follows the pattern of the former roman colony founded in 180 BC.

Above is the 13th Century Torre Delle Ore (Clocktower) at 50 meters it is the highest building in Lucca - and this present clock was installed by Louis Simon in 1752.

This moggy looks rested - a serious hint that it is time for us to find our way back to Angeli for our time out me thinks, plan to climb to the top of Guinigi tomorrow!!!.