Lucca

Lucca

The city of Lucca is located in a plain in the northwestern area of Tuscany, flanking the southern end of the Apuan Alps. Its historical center is enclosed by imposing walls dating back to the fifteenth century but which are still perfectly preserved today. It is possible to walk around the entire length of the walls under the shade of centuries-old trees, enjoying an extraordinary view of the city from the higher viewpoint.
Walking through the streets of Lucca's historical center one can still view the city's ancient layout, and even if the original Roman era paving is no longer there, the narrow Medieval streets and distinctive squares with Renaissance-era buildings remain.
Each month, on the third Sunday and the Saturday before, the streets and squares of Lucca are transformed and host the traditional Lucca Antiques Market.

Sites

	City of Lucca - www.comune.lucca.it - Official site for the city has information on the territory, public administration, services towards citizens and a sectiond dedicated to youth and schools. An events calendar covers the current month in detail but it is hard to see what lies ahead.
	Lucca Comics and Games - www.luccacomicsandgames.com - Official site for the event dedicated to comics hosted annually in Lucca. The exhibition is divided into Comics, Games and Junior - the Italian language version contains numerous articles on each of the sections and participants, while the English version has an introduction into each, with information on the current year's show.
	Lucca Summer Festival - www.summer-festival.com - Each July, Lucca hosts a music summer festival within its walled city with top music artists taking part. Past singers include Pink, Elton John, Lauryn Hill and Alanis Morissette, among many others. The site includes the festival's schedule, ways to buy tickets and details on how to get there.
	Palazzo Ducale - www.palazzoducale.lucca.it - Home to the city's government since the 14th century, the site for the Palazzo Ducale presents a detailed historical account of the building. A virtual visit makes it possible to view the entire building through photographs and relative descriptions. Another section is dedicated to highlighting the restoration process begun in 2000. Finally, another section includes news, information on visiting the palace and multimedia section with videos.
	Giacomo Puccini's Birth Home - www.casanatalepuccini.it/ - The museum dedicated to the famous composer, Giacomo Puccini, is located in the house in which Puccini was born in Lucca. The site presents the house, highlighting the various items that belonged to Puccini. Through an interactive map, it is possible to view more details on the rooms, furnishings, and objects tied to the composer's life.