Well, after some time I'm back for a new tour guide, this time too I'm taking you to Tuscany in the beautiful city of Lucca.
We are located in the North West area of the Vicini al Mare region of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi.
First of all I want to tell you that to visit it you need time and calm, because with tranquility you can enjoy it a lot more.
In fact, I personally saw it for the first time in a hurry and not dedicating the necessary time to it, I underestimated it, I saw the walls and only walked around inside, however in this guide I will take you to the most beautiful places in the city.
Lucca is an ancient city that has a history dating back to Roman times. Even if you don't think so, the famous walls of Lucca, which surround the historic center, were built in the 16th century; obviously the objective of the construction of the walls was to protect the city from external invasions.
Around the year 1500, the city of Lucca was invaded by the French, who destroyed many of the city's houses and churches. It was then that the powerful families of Lucca decided to build the walls to protect the city from further invasions.
The construction of the walls of Lucca began in 1544 and was completed in 1650. The construction of the walls required many years of work and the commitment of many craftsmen. The walls were built with boulders of sandstone rock, a sedimentary rock very available in the area, they were designed to resist cannon fire and assaults. The walls of Lucca are about 12 meters high and are about 4 kilometers long. There are few sixteenth-century walls still intact in Europe and in fact they have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in addition it is possible to walk on them and you can see breathtaking views, they are very large in fact there are a lot of people who do physical activity both by bike or on foot. From here you can admire the garden of Palazzo Pfanner, the historic residence of the city.
This is in fact one of the first places I visited.
Palazzo Pfanner was built in the 17th century as a private residence and is now open to the public as a museum. The palace is known for its gardens, which were designed in the Baroque style.
The frescoes in Palazzo Pfanner date back to the end of the 17th century and are the work of the painter Stefano Galletti. Galletti, originally from Lucca, was one of the most important Baroque painters of his time and was very active in the decoration of churches and palaces in the city.
The frescoes of Palazzo Pfanner entirely cover the rooms of the building, including the Ballroom and the Dining Room. The paintings depict mythological scenes, idyllic landscapes and decorative motifs, and are characterized by vivid colors and great detail.
One of the best-known paintings in Palazzo Pfanner is the "Fall of Phaethon", which is located in the Dining Room. This fresco depicts the fall of Apollo's son Phaeton, who had borrowed his father's chariot to cross the sky, but lost control and caused a fire on earth.
Another famous painting is the "Feast of the Immaculate Conception", which is located in the Salone delle Feste. This fresco depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and saints, celebrating her immaculate conception.
The frescoes of Palazzo Pfanner are a testimony to the great skill of the artists of the Baroque era and represent one of the major attractions of the palace. Their beauty and artistic value contribute to making a visit to Palazzo Pfanner an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting Lucca.
Next,I visited the Palazzo Ducale, which was built in the 14th century as a residence for the rulers of Lucca. The palace is known for its neoclassical facade and the frescoes inside. During my visit, I admired the Throne Hall, which was used for official ceremonies. There was an exhibition of modern art in progress which I was sincerely enthusiastic about but I don't remember who the artists were, it was basically reconstructions in paper or papier-mâché. really charming.
I also visited the Villa Bottini, a historic villa built in the 18th century as a private residence. The villa is now open to the public as a cultural center and is known for its art exhibitions.
Among the main attractions of the villa there are certainly the paintings, which represent a precious testimony of the history of Italian art.
Among the most important paintings of Villa Bottini we can mention the "Portrait of Ferdinando II de' Medici", by Anton Domenico Gabbiani, created in the 18th century. The portrait represents the Grand Duke Ferdinand II, seated on a throne wearing his official dress. The painting is known for the precision of the details and the delicacy of the colouring.
Another important work of Villa Bottini is the painting "San Giovanni Battista", made in the XVIII century by Tommaso Redi. The painting depicts the Baptist in a camel dress, in a dramatic and intense pose. The composition is characterized by a strong contrast between shadows and lights, which give the painting an effect of great emotional impact.
Another notable work is "The Madonna and Child", a painting by Jacopo della Quercia dating back to the 15th century. This work represents the Virgin Mary with the Child in her arms, who gently looks at her son. The painting is characterized by a great delicacy in the details, which make the scene very realistic and moving.
In general, the Villa Bottini collection of paintings represents a precious testimony of the history of Italian art, from medieval to baroque painting. The beauty and elegance of these paintings contribute to making Villa Bottini one of the main cultural attractions of the city of Lucca.
During my trip to Lucca, I also visited the Roman amphitheater, today it's a pedestrian square surrounded by restaurants and shops.
which dates back to the 1st century AD. The amphitheater was built to host public entertainment, such as gladiator fights and animal shows.
Furthermore, I walked the main streets and squares of Lucca, including the Via Fillungo, the main street of the city, and the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, one of the most beautiful squares in Lucca and I fell in love with it.
Before closing this itinerary, I want to show you the photos of the street food and the painted ceramic works that can be found in every corner in the city of Lucca and are spectacular.
The pizzas are indescribable and quality price it's really worth stopping for a snack. Lucca is just a piece of Italy that I love.
