Lucca

Lucca is a city and comune in the Tuscany region of central Italy, and the capital of the Province of Lucca. It lies on the Serchio River, about 80 kilometers west of Florence and near the Ligurian Sea in the Versilia area. The historic center is renowned for its intact Renaissance-era city walls, which enclose a compact medieval core. The walls, built in the 16th and 17th centuries to replace earlier fortifications, are now a broad pedestrian promenade and park.

Key sights include the Duomo di San Martino, a cathedral with Romanesque and Gothic influences and the renowned Volto Santo wooden crucifix; the Basilica of San Frediano with its gilded mosaic; and the Church of San Michele in Foro. The Torre Guinigi, a medieval tower with holm oaks on its roof, is a symbol of the city. The elliptical Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, built on the site of a Roman amphitheatre, remains a focal point for commerce and events. The Puccini birthplace and museum preserve the town’s musical heritage; Lucca also hosts Lucca Comics & Games, one of Europe’s largest pop culture festivals.

Economy centers on services, tourism, crafts, and light manufacturing. Lucca is connected by rail and road to Florence, Pisa, and the coast, with the A11 highway and a regional rail network linking the city to the wider Tuscan region.