Lucca‘s Secrets: See the Walled City‘s Historic and Artistic Wonders

Lucca is often overshadowed by its neighbour Florence, but its medieval old town is a real Tuscan treasure and equally worth a visit. On this walking tour, you‘ll trace parts of Lucca’s old city wall, the longest original and complete wall in Europe, and experience the rich heritage preserved within its ancient fortifications.

This Lucca tour begins at Porta San Pietro, the gateway to Lucca‘s Old Town. You‘ll see gorgeous Romanesque-style churches, climb a unique tower house with a rooftop garden, and have a chance to take photos on Piazza Dell‘Anfiteatro, once a Roman amphitheatre and now a spectacular public square. I‘ll share Lucca‘s history from its pre-Roman origins to its centuries-long status as a free Republic. You‘ll discover fascinating secrets and eerie legends involving beautiful women, wealthy lords, and the devil himself! You‘ll pass the Giardini di Palazzo Pfanner, a garden dedicated to its former owner, a 19th-century Austrian entrepreneur. You‘ll hear how the palatial building served as his residence and also housed one of Italy‘s first beer breweries. Our tour ends at the Holy Cross Bastion, where you‘ll learn how the cannon’s invention necessitated the development of specialised defences.

Along the way, you‘ll have the chance to:

• Visit Lucca Cathedral (also known as Duomo di Lucca and Cattedrale di San Martino) and see its grand marble facade that was inspired by Pisa‘s cathedral
• Find Tuscan delights at Dante & Gentucca, a pizzeria on Via Fillungo
• Climb the Guinigi Tower, one of the last few medieval towers in Lucca, and take in one of the best views of the Old Town
• Hear about Piazza San Michele‘s history, back when it was the ancient heart of the Roman town
• Explore the vibrant town centre, where you can enjoy some shopping, eating and drinking
• Gaze upon the mummified corpse of San Davino, a pilgrim from Armenia who was sanctified in the Middle Ages and worshipped ever since at Chiesa di San Michele in Foro (the Michele Church)
• Learn about the Piazza Napoleone, from where Napoleon‘s sister Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi once governed as the princess
• Walk on the historic fortified walls encircling the town and learn about the strategic value of their slanted walls

So join me for this 120-minute walk, delving into all Lucca has to offer. The historic town centre is a pedestrianised paradise that gives you the freedom to sample local cuisine and enjoy an aperitivo at one of the many bars, restaurants, and trattorias that adorn its charming streets.