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Lucca
Named in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Lucca is a treasure of artistic jewels encircled by 16th century walls.
Along with Ferrara, Grosseto and Bergamo, it is one of the four Italian provincial capitals that prides in perimeter walls that have stood the test of time. One of the best preserved city walls in Europe, they offer a pleasant 5 km green walk today.
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The protagonist of the town's typical cuisine is the world famous D.O.P certified olive oil, which prides in the highest European certification.
This sublime oil enhances Lucca's typical recipes.
Tempting smoking soups made with spelt and, pancotto - a slice of bread softened with broth and cooked with cherry tomatoes, beaten eggs, salt, pepper and, naturally, oil, head the list. A delicious historical second course is garmuggia, whose ingredients number beef, tomatoes, toasted bread, broad beans, asparagus tips and bacon.
Querceti olives - either natural or pickled - are an absolute speciality. Pecorino cheese seasoned on walnut leaves is excellent, while the hams, salami and soppressa (cold pork meat sausage) are appetising.
Buccellato holds a place of honour in Lucca's confectionery production. Jealously handed down by master confectioners, this ancient recipe has remained unchanged over the centuries. It is a mysterious sweet, a must try! Sample it in the internationally famous confectionery Taddeucci, which has proudly preserved its inimitable recipe since 1800.
A city that is the symbol of Italian culture and history could not fail to have a royal collection of D.OC. wines, amidst which Montecarlo and Colline Lucchesi - key stops along the Wine Route - reign supreme. Montecarlo white wines and Vinsanto desert wines were produced and appreciated even at the time of the Etruscans. Other typical wines of the area range from the ancient Sangiovese to the modern Merlot and, from the traditional Bianco della Val di Fievole to the recent Chardonnay.
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Lucca's history dates back to 180 B.C. Founded by a Celtic-Ligurian race, it was named Luk. Lucca's Roman remains centre on the ruins of the Amphitheater, whose steps have hosted dwellings built over the centuries to create an urban scene of rare suggestive beauty.
In the Middle Ages the town was a refuge to the exiled Dante. The period witnessed the construction of the monumental churches of San Frediano, whose high facade is adorned by a magnificent mosaic, which could be called a golden altar piece, San Michele in Porta with its famous marble decorations and, the Cathedral dedicated to St. Martin.
The severe massive Romanesque style was enriched with ornaments inspired by the neighbouring school of Pisa.
In the 15th century Jacopo della Quercia left his absolute masterpiece in this town - the Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, wife of Paolo Guinigi, who died at the age of 29. Gentle youthful features are imprinted on the marble face. Death is depicted as rest, while the stone pleats of the dress seem soft and moulded to welcome numberless guests. A dog lies at her feet as a symbol of marital fidelity.
Lucca touched the peak of glory in the Renaissance period with the flourishing production of silk and profitable banking business of citizens. In all historical ages till the close of '800, the natives of Lucca enhanced the town with elegant homes, churches (it is nicknamed “the city of a hundred churches”) and sumptuous villas, even in the neighbourhood (i.e. Villa Mansi, in Segromigno and, Villa Reale, in Marlia).
The town's musical tradition is also glorious: Francesco Geminiani, Luigi Boccherini, Alfredo Catalani and, Giacomo Puccini were born here.
Throughout the year musicians and actors take turns to keep this heritage alive by interpreting the famous musician's works in the cathedral of St. Martin.
In the course of overlapping historical eras, Lucca never failed to artfully change its urban layout by merging efficiency, functionality and beauty.
Strolling through the centre, you will make your way along Via Fillungo, a long narrow picturesque street lined with ancient houses, stores, boutiques, cafés and towers.
Lucca's towers have also contributed towards its unique stylistic features: sturdy and solid, they have a military touch and are adorned like a uniform with medals won on the field. Step into the Guinigi family tower - they were related to Ilaria del Carretto. It prides in a hanging garden on the top. Designed in the Middle Ages with shady century-old larches, it forms a green cloud over our heads and is worth the 230-step climb.
Always in the town centre, spacious squares with magnificent monuments offer the shade of plane-trees amidst huge sober aristocratic palaces built in red brick and white Alberese stone - they still play an active role in city life (the Ducal Palace hosts the Provincial Administration, besides numberless exhibitions of contemporary art and the only Italian exhibition dedicated to cartoons). The 16th century Provincial Administration, whose arcades and magnificent courtyards enclose the National Art Gallery, towers over Piazza Napoleone.
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