One hour west of Florence, and 25 minutes north of Pisa, Lucca is a hidden gem in Tuscany. Lucca is an ancient and medieval city, founded by the Estruscans, and was historically a Roman colony. Lucca had been the second largest Italian city state with a republican constitution (“comune”) to remain independent over the centuries. That is until 1805, when the Republic of Lucca was converted into a monarchy by Napoleon, who installed his sister Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi as the “Princess of Lucca”. From there it was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia until it became part of the Italian State in 1861.
One main feature of Lucca is the medieval walls surrounding the Old Town. In the 11th and 12th centuries the construction of the first medieval walls began, completing around the mid 13th century. Due to urban expansion, from the second half of the 14th to the first decades of the 15th century, Lucca’s previous walls were extended. Given its history, you may assume that not much would be left of the original walls. Not so, in fact, Lucca is one of the rare cities where the historical walls of the city have remained intact, even though the city has expanded and modernized. You actually enter the city through the walls, which is pretty cool to experience.
Lucca feels like a mini Florence, minus the insane crowds over priced tourist restaurants. People here a friendly and relaxed. Narrow shopping streets open into large, beautiful squares. There are many “hidden” local spots for food and drink serving both authentic Italian cuisine and fusion style food. One of my favourites was Strabuono, serving Italian Panini with a New York Style flair.
If you are looking for something a bit fancier, Punto is a classy joint for upscale dining that doesn’t break the bank. There is also a great little cocktail bar, Puntino, attached to it, which provides a great spot for after dinner drinks.
I recommend at least one night here. The city is quite lively at night, and its easy to walk around without getting lost. Or, if you just find yourself in the area, stop by to see the beautiful medieval walls, and walk the narrow streets. You won’t regret it.
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