Passeggiata delle Mura translates from Italian into "Walk of the Walls". The old city of Lucca retains its medieval system of defensive walls and bastions, which today are used by the Lucchese and tourists alike for walks, bicycle rides, family outings, and playing chess in the fresh air. We visited Lucca in the fall when the trees were turning and losing their leaves. The cloudy skies dropped a little rain on our heads, yet the moisture made the colors even more vibrant and beautiful, as moisture always does.
I have a connection to the ancient city of Lucca, in Tuscany, Italy. All four of my wife's grandparents, her Nonna's and Nonno's, were born in Lucca. Our three children are half Lucchese you could say. Lucca's rich and colorful history was unknown to me before our visit there. It was only in planning our vacation in Italy, and subsequent reading upon our return, that I learned of Lucca's historical significance. History buffs will be amazed that in 56 B.C. Julius Caesar met with his allies Pompey and Crassus at what has come to be known to historians as the Luca Conference. Pompey and Crassus were uneasy with the reputation Caesar was winning for himself in his Gallic campaigns, so much so that the tripartite was weakening. So Caesar, being the consummate smooth talker, invited Crassus and Pompey to a meeting in Luca for the purpose of renewing the political alliance known as the First Triumvirate. You can’t get more historical than that.
Today, Florence has a tendency to draw a lion's share of the attention and tourist dollars that flow into Tuscany. But for anyone planning a trip to the region I would highly recommend putting Lucca on your itinerary. There is much to see and do in Lucca, so go to your favorite travel guide, or even Wikipedia, and check out this gem of a city.
We needed a break from non-stop "museuming" so in Lucca we decided to chill out with an easy-going and scenic bicycle ride. The photographs in this post were taken on that ride along the Passeggiata delle Mura.
If you ever have the opportunity, see Lucca in person, rent some bicycles, and spend a day riding the entire perimeter of the city. You will be tired and hungry by day’s end so be sure to have reservations in one of Lucca’s fine ristorante's.
SITE ABOUT LUCCA BEING PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY