Cycling Around Lucca

The city of Lucca was an overnight stop during our May trip to Italy.  With its high Renaissance walls surrounding the ancient Roman city-center, Lucca would be a perfect decompression from the hustle-bustle of Rome and Florence to the tranquility of the Cinque Terre.  Lucca was also home to Puccini and ex-cycling fast-man, Mario Cipollini.

Stepping off the train platform, the height and massiveness of the old city walls were an impressive sight even from a distance.  

Upon closer inspection, Lucca's walls are strikingly massive!  Lucca is one of the few remaining towns with Renaissance era walls still intact. 

The wall circumvents the old city in roughly a two and a half mile loop.  A paved pathway exists on top of the ramparts and is the perfect place for a stroll or bicycling.  Lucca's ramparts have been transformed into a pleasing parkway lined with trees and grass.  Wanting to see as much of old Lucca as possible in the early afternoon, we rented two bikes and headed out onto the ramparts. 

Passeo on ramparts

Passeo on ramparts

Making a loop around the city, we got our bearings from our rampart vantage point.  Spotting the Duomo di San Martino, we headed down off the wall and into the heart of the old city, proper.  Beautiful Italian scenery at its best.

San Martino and gardens

San Martino

After a stop at the Duomo, we forged on in search of the Piazza San Michele and its namesake church.  San Michele was built over the ancient Roman forum and today is called San Michele ad Foro. 

San Michele

San Michele

With all of the peddling, getting lost, regaining our bearings, and dodging traffic, we found a place to stop for refreshment deep within the city center.

Somewhere, deep in Lucca

Grabbing a quick slice of pizza and still feeling hungry, we decided to try the local specialty snack; cecina.  Cecina (cheh-CHEE-nah) is a thin baked pizza or crepe made from garbanzo bean flour, olive oil, and salt.  Simple.  Although hesitant at first, we discovered that the cecina had a crusty,creamy deliciousness and would become a staple snack throughout the remainder of our trip!  Can easily made at home too.  We prefer adding add cheese to our homemade version.  

Cecina

With energy restored, we set off again in search of the Roman amphitheatre.  The amphitheatre looks similar to the surrounding buildings but the curvature reveals the original outline of the structure. 

Roman Amphitheatre

Entering through one of the gates, 

Passage to Roman Amphitheatre

the amphitheatre opens up to an assortment of restaurants and tourist shops.

Roman Amphitheatre

Before heading back up onto the ramparts for more cycling and then back to the hotel, one last stop at the Giuseppi Garibaldi monument.

 Beautiful city and one to which I plan to return!