Leisure Time and Tourism: Lucca and the surrounding country side
Lucca
Originally established as a Ligurian settlement (the ancient name “Luca” is perhaps derived from the Celtic-Ligurian root-word “luk”, meaning ‘marshland’), it became a Roman colony in 180 B.C.
During the 6C Lucca became the capital of the Lombardic duchy of Tuscia. Later, in the 12C it went on to become firstly, a free commune and subsequently a republic.
Notwithstanding the continual struggles between the Guelph and Ghibelline factions and the wars with Pisa and Florence, it became famous throughout Europe (thanks to its bankers and silk merchants). Apart from relatively short intervals when it fell into the hands of foreign powers or army leaders (e.g. Castruccio Castracani ) and rulers (e.g. Paolo Guinigi), the city remained an independent republic up until 1799.
On the 23rd of June 1805, upon the request of the senate of Lucca, the principality of Lucca and Piombino was established and entrusted into the care of Elisa Bonaparte (the sister of Napoleon) and her husband, Felice Baciocchi.
During the Congress of Vienna, it was decided that Lucca should become a duchy. On the 10th of May 1815, Maria Louise of Bourbon became the ruler of the city. She was succeeded by her son, Charles Ludwig of Bourbon (1824 – 1847). In 1847 Lucca became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Finally in 1860, the city became part of the kingdom of Sardenia.
Today, it is one of the few places which has retained its city walls (15C – 17C) which measure about 4.450km in length. The ancient city centre is well preserved and has numerous medieval churches ( which display a wealth of artistic features), bell towers and Renaissance buildings.
The present day amphitheatre, ( built upon the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheatre ) was designed and built by the architect Nottolini and is an unique example of this type of architecture.
As with other Tuscan towns, Lucca contains many interesting buildings and works of art, such as an unroofed museum, which has been modified and developed over the centuries. Here, ancient and modern styles of architecture blend perfectly together. Other fine examples of city architecture include the Piazza Napoleone, built during the reign of Elisa Baciocchi and a public park situated both along and around the city walls.
Recently, a UNESCO proposal has been put forward recommending that Lucca should be nominated as “ a world heritage” site.
The ancient city centre offers visitors numerous possibilities for enjoyment and relaxation. Walks can be taken along the beautifully preserved city walls, where tourists can stop off to relax in the rest areas situated along the ramparts or under the shade of the plane trees. Furthermore, for the more adventurous, long strolls around the whole perimetre of the walls can be undertaken. From here, sweeping views over the city’s beautiful churches and palaces can be enjoyed.
Finally, after a day’s walk around the city, tourists can stop off to taste the local specialities at a typical trattoria or bar.
Sacred Medieval Architecture
During the whole of the Medieval period, the architecture of Lucca was significantly different from that of the rest of Tuscany. In terms of Lucchese ‘sensibility’, the classic ideal, which is a recurring local motif, determined both architectural and decorative styles.
Throughout the region, Lucca-Romanesque architecture was based on a simplification of form, whilst creative sculptural mouldings and motifs were given pride of place. The external design of these buildings betrays a preference for “a new sense of clear, clean surfaces, geometrically and volumetrically enhanced by their fundamentally bare appearance”. Here, we can witness a return to the architecture of Imperial Rome and early Christian basilicas. It is here, in the churches of Lucca that visitors can admire the classical fusion of interior and exterior space. In fact, the façades echo the precise dimensions of the interior lay-out.
As regards the sculptural details, it is almost impossible to overlook the ‘surge’ of Neoclassicism which pervades these buildings: during this period Anselmo da Baggio and Matilde di Canossa were both personally involved in the restructuring work carried out in the Cathedral of San Martino.The workmen employed by the bishop of Lucca must obviously have had great success in the city and the surrounding villages.
The churches of the district, therefore, symbolise a genuine interpretation of local sensibility. This is due, not only to the fact that they conserve, in a purer form, the original architectural features of Lucca, but also because, thanks to their “rustic simplicity, they convey more than the mere representation of bricks and mortar and manage to attain a level of artistic brilliance. In other words, their very presence manages to communicate the creative vigour that inspired our forefathers to construct such buildings”.
The Villas of Luccas
Villa Reale (The Royal Villa) at Marlia
www.parcovillareale.it
Originally commissioned by Elisa Baciocchi, the sister of Napoleon Bonaparte and Sovreign of Lucca, the villa has, over the years, been the residence of several patrons of the arts and other noble families. The building which can be admired today is an imposing structure and is the result of the amalgamation of the Villa Orsetti and the summer residence of the bishop of Lucca.
Villa Grabau
www.villagrabau.it
This 16C villa situated in the village of San Pancrazio was commissioned by the Diodati family, a group of Lucchese merchants. It was built upon the ruins of a medieval village. Over the next few centuries, it fell into the hands of firstly, the Counts of Orsetti and then to the Cittadella Marquises. It was finally taken over by a rich German banker – the husband of Carolina Grabau.
Villa Oliva (formerly Villa Buonvisi)
www.villaoliva.it
The villa was commissioned by Lodovico Buonvisi in the 16C. Today, visitors can admire the large reception rooms, situated one on each floor, in the central part of the villa.
Villa Torrigiani
www.comune.capannori.lu.it/infoturismo/ville/vtorrigiani.html
This villa is one of the most splendid examples of Tuscan Baroque. An avenue of cypresses leads up to the 16C building, whose façade seems to provide an almost ‘theatrical’ backdrop to the surrounding gardens.
Villa Mansi
www.villamansi.it
The original building dates back to the 16C, although the Mansi family (famous throughout Europe as silk merchants) were responsible for the major restructuring work which the building underwent during the 17C. The Mansi family were also responsible for the irrigation systems and the landscaping of the gardens.