{"id":18708,"date":"2021-08-22T14:51:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-22T12:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?p=18708"},"modified":"2021-07-28T15:01:28","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T13:01:28","slug":"2-hours-lucca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/italy\/lucca\/2-hours-lucca\/","title":{"rendered":"2 hours through Lucca"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The AIDAperla has docked in Livorno. Passengers stream off the ship and take the buses to Florence or Pisa. I also disembark, get on a bus and let me drive to Lucca. A Lucca short visit in 2 hours, which in retrospect were much too short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Where is Lucca and some city history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lucca is a city of almost 90,000 inhabitants in Ilalia. The city is located about 20 km from Pisa on the small river Serchio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 180 BC Lucca becomes a Roman colony, along with Pisa. Thus the land could be taken possession of for Rome and the Apuans living here had to submit. Over the years Lucca was a popular residence for dukes and market counts. A well-functioning textile industry was established here, which was known for colorful silk and brought the city a certain wealth and influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lucca<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later, political unrest led the dyers and weavers to flee to Venice. Despite existing guild laws that provided for death for guild members if they pursued their work outside Lussa, the refugees took advantage of Vendig’s asylum and continued to work there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Austrian suzerainty was driven out by the French revolutionary armies, the Republic of Lucca was forced to introduce a French-style democracy in 1799\/1800 and to live in total dependence on Napol\u00e9on Bonaparte. After Napol\u00e9on’s fall, Lucca became a pawn in politics for a while. It was not until 1859\/61 that the territory joined the new unitary state of Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stroll through Lucca<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the coach we went through small alleys towards the old town. Past small stores, restaurants and cafes until we came to a large square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"San<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the old Roman marketplace stands the church of San Michele in Foro (St.Michael in the Forum). The church was built in the 12th century. The facade is beautiful and articulated with columns, and cornices. San Michele is a successful example of Tuscan architectural forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"San<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I really like the main facade. It looks so delicate and light because of the small columns in front of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our way led us further to the Torre Guinigi. Unfortunately, there are only 230 steps leading up to the tree-covered platform. With my broken foot unfortunately almost insurmountable. Too bad I would have loved to enjoy the view from up there.
In Lucca there are many towers that were built for defense purposes. Especially wealthy families built these towers and tried to show off their wealth. The Torre Guinigi is about 44 meters high and was built by the silk merchant family Guigini in 1384. The garden with the seven holm oaks on the roof of the tower was built later by the family. It is supposed to symbolize the renewal\/rebirth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n