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DISCOVERING THE Cities
A visit to Lucca must start with
the imposing Cities walls which guarantee a great view over the
whole town. |
Roman and medieval Lucca |
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 LThe
first walls, from which there are not much left, were raised
during the Roman period, while the second walls were built between
the 11th and 12th century. The last Cities walls, that we still
see today, were built for military purposes, to defend the town
from the expansionistic interests of the neighbouring Cities.
The walls were started in 1544 and concluded one century later.
The walls served as a defensive system until they were transformed
into a walking path and surrounded by trees under the Bourbons.
After having walked along the Cities walls, you can go to the
Duomo of San Martino which has a marvellous decorated façade
from the 13th century. The church, with antique origins, became
cathedral in the 18th century. It preserves a wooden sculpture
of the Volto Santo (Image of Christ) and the splendid tomb of
Ilaria del Carretto, a masterpiece by Jacopo della Quercia.
 The
Chiesa di San Giovanni e Santa Reparata, rebuilt in the 17th
century, though it was raised in the Middle Ages, is also worth
a visit. Recent archaeological findings have revealed that the
Chiesa di San Giovanni has Byzantine origins, or according to
some scientists, even pagan origins. Next
stop is Piazza Napoleone, also called Piazza Grande, and is
the heart of the Cities. The square with trees which was designed
in the 19th century and is surrounded by the administrative
buildings of Lucca. Not
far from Piazza Grande, is Palazzo Pretorio, ended in the 16th
century. The clock that decorates the top of the façade
was placed one century later. The galleries and the stone decorations
on the plastered walls, give the Palazzo Pretorio a sober elegance.
At the square that once was the Foro Romano, stands the beautiful
Chiesa di San Michele in Foro, concluded in the 13th century
and built on the site of a 8th century precursor. The façade
is decorated with four loggias and a nice bell-tower, while
inside there are some precious ceramics by Andrea della Robbia,
a crucifix from the 13th century and a painting by Filippino
Lippi. The itinerary to discover Lucca continues to the Chiesa
di San Paolino, a Renaissance
building designed by Baccio da Montelupo in the 16th century
which offers a nice façade in white marble and several
art works inside.  The
most famous palaces of Lucca are also worth a visit. First of
all Palazzo Mansi, a Patrician house from the 16th century which
was bought by the Italian state in the 60's and is today the
one of the most important museums of the Cities. Inside there
are monumental apartments with original furniture and marvellous
frescoes, among which we can mention those in the Camera degli
Sposi by Flemish painters from the 17th century. Palazzo Mansi
houses today the Pinacoteca Nazionale and preserves many masterpieces,
such as "Ritratto di gentiluomo" by Tintoretto and
the "Ritratto di Alessandro de' Medici" by Pontormo.
The collection of silk from Lucca and costume from the 18th
and 19th century is very original and is preserved in Palazzo
Pfanner, a nice building from the 17th century where you are
also able to visit the Italian garden decorated with statues.
This itinerary ends at the Basilica di San Frediano, a fascinating
building from the 12th century on the foundations of an early
Christian temple, still partly visible. The Basilica has been
submitted to several transformations during the centuries. The
most significant one was carried out in the 13th century, when
façade got its splendid mosaic. The church hosts many
precious art works, such as the marble polyptych at the altar
of the last chapel, a masterpiece by Jacopo della Quercia. In
the Chapel dedicated to her, is preserved the corps of Santa
Zita, very venerated by the citizens of Lucca. |
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