If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, there’s one town that you simply can’t miss out on visiting: Lucca.
This quaint and beautiful town is well known for its impressive fortified city walls, known locally as ‘la mura’.
The old city walls of Lucca have been safeguarding the city’s heritage for centuries and are the most recognisable landmark of the old town.
In fact, the walls are so important that Lucca managed to maintain its independence for over 700 years, thanks to their construction.
The original walls were built by the Romans, then replaced during the Middle Ages, and the current version we see today (as shown above) dates to the Renaissance era in the 1600s.
Due to the advanced weaponry during this period, the walls were made thicker to protect against cannonballs, and the base is massive, almost 30 metres (100 feet) wide in most areas and rises to 12 metre (40 feet) above the ground.
While two of the pre-Renaissance doors – Porta San Gervasio (1198) and Porta dei Borghi (1198) – are still visible in the city, visitors can enter the city through any of the six gates: Porta San Pietro (1565), Porta Santa Maria (1592), Porta San Donato (1629), Porta Elisa (1811), Porta Sant’ Anna (1911), and Porta San Jacopo all Tomba (1930).
In addition to these gates, there are also 11 defensive bastions (baluardi) built into the wall, with some of them still accessible to visitors today. The associated tunnels are still frequently used to host art exhibitions as well as classical music concerts throughout the year.
But here’s the best part: the city walls of Lucca have now been converted into a public park, making it a popular recreational area for people of all ages – from young people hanging out with friends before and after school, to runners, walkers, and cyclists using it as an exercise circuit, to the elderly relaxing on one of the many park benches. The wall is a beautiful outdoor area frequently utilised by many.
Once on the wall, you’ll be gifted with stunning views of the surrounding towns, hills, and mountain ranges. You can enjoy the experience of taking in the classic Tuscan terracotta rooftops as you make your way around the wall by foot or bicycle along the wide-paved and chestnut tree-lined path. A leisurely stroll around the 4.2 km (2.6 mile) wall will take about an hour to complete.
But the walls of Lucca are not just a park, they are also a living piece of history. You can see the impact that the walls have had on the city and its people, from the centuries of independence to the way the town has developed around the walls. It’s truly a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, be sure to add Lucca to your itinerary. Take a walk or bike ride around the walls and soak in the stunning views of the surrounding areas. It’s a great way to get some exercise while experiencing the history and beauty of one of Tuscany’s most treasured towns.
Learn more about Lucca by visiting: https://www.luccaexperience.com/index_eng.html
Posted by Anton & Bella
