Lucca is a cozy city that feels lived in, in just the best way. The town is surrounded by a perfectly preserved Renaissance wall with the core full of bustling cafes, lively plazas, and pedestrian-only streets. It feels livable – as proven by the numerous expats from around Europe and the world we seemed to stumble into – with its beautiful scenery, lively atmosphere and reasonably priced and tasty food.
The wide Renaissance walls surrounding Lucca give the city a unique feel. Renaissance walls differ from medieval walls in that they are thicker, in order to accommodate the cannons that came with this time period. While no longer transporting cannons, these 90 foot wide walls have been nicely preserved into a pedestrian promenade. Large trees provide shade for much of the pathway, with benches for rest stops along the way. A walk or bike ride around the walls is one of the most pleasant things to do in the city, and we found ourselves walking on this promenade often (especially while trying to nap a baby!).
We spent our short time in Lucca strolling its labyrinths of narrow streets, eating, and playing with our kids in its many public squares. The Piazza Dell-Anfiteatro stood out for its uniquely oval shape, built on the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheatre. It’s best appreciate from an aerial view.
Villa Torrigiani
Once you’re in Tuscany, it seems the sights and stops are endless! A short trip from Lucca is this beautiful historical villa of Villa Torrigiani.
This country home boasts a bright yellow facade surrounded by greenery, ponds and romantic gardens. A lovely place to stretch your legs and get some refuge from the sun beneath the villa’s shady trees.
The Devil’s Bridge
Ponte della Maddalena is a medieval bridge that may be one of the oldest constructions in Tuscany, felt to be built around the year 1000-1100. It is a slim bridge, with a tall central arch which is actually a bit steep to climb.
The “Devil’s Bridge” name comes from legend that the mason responsible for building the bridge worried it would not be completed in time. Thus, he made a deal with the devil: in exchange for his help to finish the bridge, the devil would take the soul of the first passerby to cross the bridge. The mason felt remoseful and, after consulting with a local priest, decided to lure a dog across the bridge first. The devil was furious, and plunged into the river with the dog, never to be seen again. Somtimes people say the sheepdog is still seen walking the bridge in the late evenings of October.
