CHARMING LUCCA

San Michele -Italian workers on strike for 500 yrs. The nave is not yet complete!! Actually the church ran out of funds.

Ramparts surround Lucca.

San Frediano with a 14th century mosaic- inside is the lace clad mummy of St. Zita circa 1250.

Piazza dell'Anfiteatra- here once stood the ancient Roman amphitheater. Some of the medieval buildings built around the amphitheater retain its original oval shape and brick arches.

Piazza dell'Carmine-  in honor of mio padre who liked to eat!! You can see here that walking and riding a bike on the narrow cobblestone streets are very common in Lucca.

Torre Guinigi- a Palazzo with a grove of ilex trees growing at the top of the tower. A climb of 265 steps awards you with a beautiful view of the city with its terracotta roofs.

Homes and buildings in charming Lucca.

Top of the ramparts circling Lucca - a perfect place for a stroll or bike ride.

The famous composer Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca.

Ramparts built in the 16th century enclose this charming town of Lucca which is filled with 99 churches. It is important that I show you a picture of all 99 chiese. Just kidding. As shown above the ramparts circling la citta are a perfect place to take a stroll, ride a bike, kick a ball, or just stand and look down upon Lucca. But be aware at all times of where the edge is- there are no railings and the drop from the wall to the ground can be as high as 40 feet. This upscale yet quaint city has terracotta roof buildings and narrow cobblestone strade. The historic center is restricted to motorists. Therefore walking and biking are the most efficient and most enjoyable way to get around the neighborhood. You can actually observe local ladies maneuver bicilette to do their daily shopping. Here Caesar, Pompey and Crassus agreed to rule Rome as a triumvirate in the 60 BC. Lucca was latter the first Tuscan town to accept Christianity. The famous composer Giacomo Puccini was born here in 1858 - his work forms the nucleus of the summer Opera Theater and Music Festival, staged in open air venues. La boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly anyone.
 Ah, ascolto Luciano Pavarotti ora.
Ciao