LUCCA è il posto PERFETTO dove Vivere? La città incantata della TOSCANA

Summary

The video script offers an intimate exploration of Lucca, a city of art in Italy, which rivals the fame of Pisa, Florence, and Siena. The narrators share their admiration for the city's well-preserved Renaissance walls, the historic Porta San Pietro gate, and the delightful Corso Garibaldi avenue. They indulge in local delicacies like Buccellato at Taddeucci and marvel at the city's architectural wonders, including the church of San Michele in Foro and the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini. The script highlights hidden gems such as the Torre delle Ore, Chiasso Barletti, and the unique Piazzetta del Libro, a used book market. The Duomo's asymmetry and the Guinigi Tower's hanging garden are standout features. The city's vibrant squares, like Piazza San Frediano and Piazza Anfiteatro, are described with their historical and cultural significance. The narrators also enjoy the city's botanical garden and the serene Spalti meadows. Their stay at Corte Volpe, a peaceful B&B, and a leisurely bicycle tour along the city walls complete their enchanting experience. The video concludes with a recommendation to visit nearby Massaciuccoli and Torre del Lago Puccini for a complete Italian experience.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Lucca is a charming city with well-preserved Renaissance walls that make it unique and a great place to live.
• 🅿️ Parking at the Carducci car park is affordable at €8 for the whole day, and it's conveniently close to the city center.
• 🌳 The city's ambiance is very relaxed, with greenery-filled streets like Corso Garibaldi that are perfect for strolling.
• 🍞 Taddeucci is a historic pastry shop where you can enjoy the local Buccellato, a sweet bread with raisins and anise.
• 🏛️ Piazza San Michele is considered the most beautiful square in Lucca, featuring historic buildings and the elegant church of San Michele in Foro.
• 🎼 The birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini is marked with a large sculpture and is located in a quaint square.
• 🏢 Lucca is known for its historic shop signs and stores that add to the city's unique character.
• 🌄 Torre delle Ore is one of the many towers in Lucca offering panoramic views, but there's another tower with a special feature mentioned in the video.
• 📚 The Mondadori bookshop on via Roma is housed in a historic building with a stunning glass ceiling.
• 📖 The Piazzetta del Giglio is a must-visit used book market with second-hand treasures and a Parisian vibe.
• 🏰 The Duomo, with its asymmetrical design, features a beautiful wisteria plant and a labyrinth engraved on the stone.
• 🍔 Pan di Strada on Corso Garibaldi offers delicious sandwiches, making it a great spot for a relaxed lunch.
• 🛍️ Via Fillungo is the main shopping street with notable buildings and the golden mosaic of the church of San Frediano.
• ☕️ Santa Zita biscuit café offers a delightful setting with antique furnishings and their signature 'miracles of Santa Zita' biscuits.
• 🏟️ Piazza Anfiteatro is a lively and recognizable square with a unique circular shape, built on the remains of a Roman amphitheater.
• 🌳 The city walls of Lucca offer a 4 km cycling route with plenty of spots to stop, relax, and enjoy the view.
• 🌳 The botanical garden, with its diverse flora and beautiful pond area, is a well-kept attraction along the city walls.
• 🚴 Renting bicycles is a popular activity in Lucca, allowing visitors to enjoy the city's green spaces and walls.
• 🎬 A chance encounter with Dustin Hoffman while cycling the walls adds a touch of Hollywood to the Lucca experience.

Q & A

Why did the narrators feel comfortable in Lucca and consider living there?

The narrators felt comfortable in Lucca due to the city's relaxed mood, well-preserved Renaissance walls, and the beautiful experience of walking around the city. They were charmed by the city's unique features and the comfortable atmosphere.

What is the cost of parking for a whole day at the Carducci car park near the center of Lucca?

The cost of parking for a whole day at the Carducci car park is €8.

Which gate did the narrators enter through when they first arrived in Lucca?

The narrators entered through Porta San Pietro, which is one of the three original and the oldest gate in Lucca.

What is Buccellato and where did the narrators have it for breakfast?

Buccellato is a sweet bread with raisins and anise that is typical of the city of Lucca. The narrators had it for breakfast at Taddeucci, a historic pastry shop in Lucca.

What is special about Piazza San Michele in Lucca?

Piazza San Michele is considered the most beautiful square in the city, surrounded by historic buildings and elegant porticoes with the beautiful church of San Michele in Foro, which stands out with its distinctive white color and beautifully decorated facade.

Why is the Torre delle Ore tower in Lucca notable?

The Torre delle Ore is notable because it is one of the different towers in Lucca that offers a panoramic view of the entire historic center. However, the narrators decided not to climb this one and chose another tower with a particular feature.

What is unique about the Guinigi Tower in Lucca?

The Guinigi Tower has a peculiarity of having a hanging garden at its top, which is filled with seven holm oak trees that have been one of the city's distinctive symbols.

What is the name of the main shopping street in Lucca?

The main shopping street in Lucca is Via Fillungo.

What is the significance of Piazza Anfiteatro in Lucca?

Piazza Anfiteatro is the most recognizable square in the city due to its circular shape and is closed between tall colored buildings. It is built on the remains of a Roman amphitheater, which explains its unique shape and name.

What is the cost of visiting the botanical garden in Lucca?

The cost of visiting the botanical garden in Lucca is €6.

What is the name of the street that the narrators found to be one of the most characteristic in the center of Lucca?

The name of the street is Via dei Fossi.

What activity did the narrators do on their second day in Lucca, and what was a highlight of that experience?

On their second day, the narrators rented bicycles and cycled around the city walls. A highlight of that experience was encountering Dustin Hoffman, who was jogging on the walls.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Exploring the Art City of Lucca

The video script begins with an introduction to Lucca, a city of art that rivals the fame of Pisa, Florence, and Siena. The narrator expresses a strong desire to live in Lucca, highlighting the comfort and charm of the city. The exploration starts at the Carducci car park with a day's parking fee of €8, which is considered a good deal given its proximity to the city center. The center is unique for its Renaissance walls that are well-preserved. The narrator enters through Porta San Pietro, one of the three original and oldest gates, and is immediately greeted by a large wisteria plant. The journey continues along Corso Garibaldi, a favorite avenue filled with greenery, eateries, and shops. The narrator emphasizes the relaxed atmosphere of the city and mentions a historic pastry shop, Taddeucci, where they try the Buccellato, a sweet bread typical of Lucca. The video also features Piazza San Michele, which is considered the most beautiful square in the city, with its historic buildings and the church of San Michele in Foro. The narrator then visits the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini and appreciates the historic signs of shops and stores that add personality to the city. The Torre delle Ore, a tower offering a panoramic view of the historic center, is mentioned, but the narrator decides to climb a different tower with a unique feature. Hidden treasures, like Chiasso Barletti, and a bookshop with a crafted glass ceiling are also highlighted. The video concludes with a visit to the Duomo, where the narrator admires the sunlight filtering through the rose windows and the mysterious labyrinth engraved on the stone.

05:03

🍰 A Day in Lucca: Food, History, and Culture

The second paragraph of the script describes a day in Lucca, starting with a lunch at Corso Garibaldi, where the narrator recommends a sandwich from Pan di strada to enjoy in the shade of the trees. The journey continues along via Fillungo, the main shopping street, leading to Piazza San Frediano, which is dominated by a church with an important golden mosaic on its facade. The narrator stops at the Santa Zita biscuit café, appreciating its antique furnishings and the unique biscuits called miracles of Santa Zita. The itinerary then takes the narrator to Piazza Anfiteatro, a circular square built on the remains of a Roman amphitheater, which is lively with restaurants and cafes. A booked visit to the Guinigi tower follows, which is notable for its hanging garden at the top. The view from the tower over the city's roofs is described as stupendous. The narrator then walks along the city walls, expressing a wish to visit the Palazzo Pfanner but unable to do so due to renovation and filming. Instead, they visit the botanical garden, which is well-kept and houses a variety of trees and flowers from different environments. The garden's pond with nymphs and aquatic plants, as well as the succulent greenhouse, are particularly noted. The script ends with a walk along Via dei Fossi, a characteristic street of the city, and a visit to the Spalti, the beautiful meadows surrounding the fortified center. The narrator is captivated by the greenery and the magical sunset experience. The evening is spent wandering the streets, with a final stop at Piazza Anfiteatro during the blue moment, before retiring to their B&B, Corte Volpe, for a peaceful night.

10:04

🚴‍♂️ Biking the Walls of Lucca and Encounters

The final paragraph of the script details the narrator's experience renting bicycles to tour the walls of Lucca. The walls, which are part of the city's important military fortifications, are perfectly preserved and offer a 4 km loop that can be completed in less than an hour at a leisurely pace. The narrator mentions the availability of refreshments and benches along the way, providing opportunities to rest and observe the city. During their bike ride, they unexpectedly encounter Dustin Hoffman jogging, adding an exciting twist to their visit. The narrator concludes the video by encouraging viewers to support their work through likes, subscriptions, and comments, and to share any suggestions or missed spots in Lucca. They also recommend visiting other nearby magical places, such as the oasis of Massaciuccoli or Torre del Lago Puccini, which are featured in another video. The script ends with a thank you note and a farewell.

Keywords

💡Lucca

Lucca is a city in Tuscany, Italy, renowned for its well-preserved Renaissance walls and historical significance. Within the video's narrative, Lucca serves as the main setting and the object of the creators' admiration. The city's charm is highlighted through its art, architecture, and the unique experience it offers to visitors, as exemplified by the script's detailed descriptions of various sites and experiences within Lucca.

💡Renaissance Walls

Renaissance Walls refer to the fortifications built around the historic center of Lucca during the Renaissance period. These walls are a distinctive feature of the city, contributing to its unique character and historical appeal. In the video, the walls are mentioned as an intact and remarkable aspect of Lucca, enhancing the city's allure and providing a scenic backdrop for activities such as walking and bicycling.

💡Porta San Pietro

Porta San Pietro is one of the original and oldest gates through which one can enter the city of Lucca. It represents a historical point of entry and is symbolic of the city's rich past. In the video, the creators enter Lucca through this gate, marking the beginning of their exploration and experience of the city's historical and cultural offerings.

💡Corso Garibaldi

Corso Garibaldi is a street in Lucca known for its greenery, eateries, and shops. It is depicted in the video as a favorite avenue of the creators, embodying the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere they associate with Lucca. The street is used to illustrate the city's vibrant and inviting character, setting the tone for the rest of the video's exploration.

💡Buccellato

Buccellato is a traditional sweet bread from Lucca, typically filled with raisins and flavored with anise. It is highlighted in the video as a local delicacy that the creators try at Taddeucci, a historic pastry shop. The Buccellato serves as an example of the local cuisine and contributes to the overall sensory experience of visiting Lucca.

💡Piazza San Michele

Piazza San Michele is described as the most beautiful square in Lucca, featuring historic buildings, elegant porticoes, and the church of San Michele in Foro with its distinctive white color. The square is a central location in the video, showcasing the architectural beauty and cultural significance of the city. It represents a key attraction that visitors can enjoy and appreciate.

💡Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini was a famous Italian opera composer, and his birthplace in Lucca is mentioned in the video as a point of interest. The birthplace, marked by a large sculpture of Puccini, adds a layer of cultural heritage to the city's appeal. It exemplifies Lucca's contribution to the arts and its status as a city of artistic and historical importance.

💡Torre delle Ore

Torre delle Ore is one of the towers in Lucca that offers a panoramic view of the historic center. Although the creators decide not to climb this particular tower, its mention in the video underscores the city's architectural landmarks and the opportunities for visitors to experience the city from different perspectives.

💡Chiasso Barletti

Chiasso Barletti is a street in Lucca known for its artisan shops, restaurants, and bookshops. The video describes it as one of the city's hidden treasures, contributing to the city's charm and the authentic experience it offers. It represents the local commerce and the unique shopping experience one can have in Lucca.

💡Piazzetta of the Book

The Piazzetta of the Book is a used book market in Lucca, twinned with Les Bouquinistes in Paris. It is depicted in the video as a must-visit place for book lovers, offering second-hand maps, comics, and novels. The market adds to the city's cultural richness and provides an opportunity for visitors to engage with the local literary scene.

💡Duomo

The Duomo, or the Cathedral of San Martino, is a significant religious building in Lucca. Its asymmetry and the presence of a wisteria plant in the square are highlighted in the video. Visiting the Duomo is part of the creators' experience, showcasing the architectural and religious heritage of the city.

Highlights

Lucca is a city of art with a unique charm that rivals more famous cities like Pisa, Florence, or Siena.

The city walls of Lucca offer a comfortable and enjoyable walking experience that makes one consider living there.

Parking at the Carducci car park is affordable at €8 for the whole day, and it's conveniently close to the city center.

Lucca's Renaissance walls are incredibly intact, making the city unique and worth exploring.

Porta San Pietro is one of the three original and oldest gates to enter the city, leading to a wisteria plant that's a sight to behold.

Corso Garibaldi is a favorite avenue filled with greenery, dining spots, and shops, setting a relaxed mood for visitors.

Taddeucci is a historic pastry shop where one can try the Buccellato, a sweet bread with raisins and anise, typical of Lucca.

Piazza San Michele is considered the most beautiful square in Lucca, surrounded by historic buildings and elegant porticoes.

The birthplace of Giacomo Puccini is located in a small square dedicated to the composer, marked by a large sculpture.

Historic signs of shops and stores in Lucca are well-preserved, adding to the city's unique personality.

Torre delle Ore is one of the towers in Lucca offering panoramic views of the historic center, but the chosen tower for the video has a special feature.

Chiasso Barletti is a hidden treasure of Lucca, with artisan shops, restaurants, and bookshops that create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

The Mondadori bookshop on via Roma is housed in a historic building with a crafted glass ceiling, offering a unique shopping experience.

Piazzetta of the book is a used book market with second-hand maps, comics, and novels, offering a treasure trove for book lovers.

The Duomo's asymmetry and the presence of a wisteria in the square make for a beautiful sight, especially when everything is in bloom.

The labyrinth engraved on the stone in the external portico of the Duomo is a mysterious and intriguing feature.

Pan di strada on Corso Garibaldi offers incredible sandwiches, perfect for a relaxed meal in the shade of the trees.

Piazza San Frediano is home to a church with an important golden mosaic on the facade, a standout feature in the area.

Santa Zita biscuit café offers a delightful break with antique furnishings, a dream garden, and their signature 'miracles of Santa Zita' biscuits.

Piazza Anfiteatro, with its circular shape and tall colored buildings, is built on the remains of a Roman amphitheater, offering a unique atmosphere.

The Guinigi tower features a hanging garden at its top, offering a small but tidy space with seven holm oak trees and a stunning view over the city.

The botanical garden along the walls offers a well-kept space with a variety of trees and flowers from different environments and latitudes.

Via dei Fossi is a characteristic street that offers a different perspective on the city, with interesting views for photography enthusiasts.

The Spalti, or beautiful meadows, that run around the fortified center provide a magical experience, especially at sunset.

Cycling the walls of Lucca is a must-do activity, offering a 4 km tour with plenty of spots to stop, relax, and enjoy the view.

An unexpected encounter with Dustin Hoffman while cycling the walls adds an exciting element to the Lucca experience.

Other magical places near Lucca include the oasis of Massaciuccoli and Torre del Lago Puccini, offering additional attractions for visitors.

Transcripts

Lucca is a wonderful city of art which in our opinion has nothing to envy of the

more famous Pisa, Florence or Siena! Few times have we felt so comfortable in a place and

as we walked around the city walls we seriously thought that we wouldn't mind

living here! All you have to do is watch the video until the end

to understand what made us fall in love with Lucca!

We had already been to Lucca but only during the Comics; a beautiful experience

but one that totally transforms the city, which is why we returned to experience it more calmly.

We leave the car at the Carducci car park, parking for the whole day costs €8! Not bad if

you think that we are a few steps from the center; not everyone knows that the center of Lucca

is entirely surrounded by Renaissance walls which are still incredibly intact today,

a feature that makes this city unique

We enter through one of the three original

gates and also the oldest: Porta San Pietro

Immediately in front of us we find the largest wisteria plant

I have ever seen, isn't it wonderful? We turn the corner and we are in Corso Garibaldi, one of

our favorite avenues in the city full of greenery with many places to eat and several shops where

you can't hold a bicycle, it immediately puts us into that relaxed mood that we like so much!

However, before starting with the actual exploration

something is definitely missing: we pass through Piazza Napoleone

also called Piazza Grande to reach a historic place in Lucca where we can have breakfast.

This morning we came to Taddeucci which is a historic pastry shop in Lucca to try

the Buccellato which it is a bread with raisins and anise that is typical of the city;

it's a very sweet sandwich with raisins and anise, delicious.

Not only was the dessert very good but trying it in this setting is something else entirely;

Piazza San Michele is in our opinion the most beautiful square in the city.

Historic buildings and elegant porticoes surround the beautiful church of San Michele in Foro which

with its distinctive white color, contrasts with the buildings around it;

the facade is beautifully decorated and is full of details.

Leaving San Michele behind us, we take a narrow street that

takes us to the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini; it is located in a somewhat secluded corner of

a splendid small square dedicated to him. You will quickly realize that you are in the right place

thanks to the large sculpture depicting the composer;

even though we have only been here recently, one thing that immediately struck us

are the historic signs of shops and stores that are still being valorized,

giving a certain personality to the city that we really like.

Walking we arrive in front of a tall tower that we certainly cannot pass by unnoticed,

the Torre delle ore is one of the different towers in Lucca that

you can climb to have a panoramic view of the entire historic centre, but we

will not climb this one but we decided to get a ticket for another Tower because it has

something particular but you will see it later in the video; if you are interested in the €8 ticket.

Right in front take Chiasso Barletti, this is one of the many hidden treasures of Lucca.

The street takes the name of the Barletti family,

today home to artisan shops, restaurants and bookshops.

It will almost feel like you are walking through a portal

to a different place with a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

And speaking of comfortable places, a bookshop couldn't be missing from this

itinerary! The Mondadori on via Roma has something very special it is built inside

a historic building with imposing columns and a crafted glass ceiling that is a marvel.

Although we have to be honest, there is one place here in Lucca that manages to beat definitely

this bookshop and it is the Piazzetta of the book! In this used book market twinned with

Les Bouquinistes in Paris you can find

second-hand maps, comics and novels; there are several thematic stalls

where you can find real gems and various rarities, I would have stayed there for

hours, if you come to Lucca this is something not to be missed!

We then decide to visit the Duomo, with its

spectacular asymmetry not a feature common to most

part of the churches, here too we find a wonderful and immense wisteria right in the square; visiting

Lucca in this period when everything is green and flowery was a good idea, Well done to us!

We enter the cathedral by paying a €3 ticket and we immediately notice one thing: the sunlight

that filters through the rose windows projects a rainbow of colors on the capitals. It is beautiful.

Among the columns of the external portico, look for the labyrinth engraved on the stone.

Even today it is a mystery. why this strange low relief was sculpted,

many attribute this symbol to the Templars.

For lunch we return to Corso Garibaldi, that beautiful street full of greenery

where we were this morning; let's take an incredible sandwich from Pan di strada to

eat calmly in the shade of the trees if you are wondering it is obviously super recommended

Walking through the most central streets we walk along via Fillungo, it is the main shopping street

of Lucca, even if there is no shortage of worthy buildings with ornamental facades and portals

our destination is Piazza San Frediano where the church of the same name stands out with

an important golden mosaic on the facade. We stop at the Santa Zita biscuit café for a break,

the place's wonderful with antique furnishings, bookcases, frescoed walls and a dream garden

with the coffee we wanted to try the biscuits created here called miracles of Santa Zita

we won't spoil anything but they are all different and very delicate you have to try them

Even if we were definitely relaxing it's time to return to the itinerary,

a few steps and we are in Piazza Anfiteatro, certainly the most recognizable

in the city, thanks above all to its circular shape and closed between tall colored buildings

built on the remains of a Roman amphitheater. This explains its unique shape and its name.

Passing one of the four access portals, we are struck by the

liveliness of the square with the many restaurants and cafes perfect for an aperitif.

The only thing we have booked for today is the climb to the Guinigi tower, as for the hour

ticket costs €8 but this one has a peculiarity that can be noticed already from the ground: on its

top there is a hanging garden; after several flights of stairs and 232 steps we emerge through

a trap door into a small but tidy garden with seven holm oak trees which have always been

one of the distinctive symbols of the city. The view over the roofs is stupendous today then it's

a rather clear day and you can see all the surrounding hills well

And from the heart of the historic center we walk until we reach the walls

We would have liked to visit Palazzo Pfanner

which is behind me but the garden it's under renovation and therefore it is closed for the

moment and inside the Palace today there is television filming so it is impossible to visit it we

came here on the walls to have a panoramic view of the palace and it is very beautiful In reality

only afterwards did we discover that the filming was of a film with Dustin Hoffman we thus move

towards the botanical garden, still built along the walls on the opposite side to where we were now,

the access is located in Baluardo San Regolo and the cost of the ticket is €6.

The garden is very well-kept and with a large quantity of trees

and flowers from different environments and latitudes.

The part of the pond with the nymphs and aquatic plants is one of the most beautiful areas.

Don't forget to read the sign with the legend linked to this body of water.

It is truly curious and a little disturbing

the part of the greenhouses dedicated to succulents is also very beautiful;

some cacti reach an impressive height! The garden is not very large but we really liked it.

As soon as we leave the botanical garden

we find ourselves in one of the most characteristic streets of the center.

Via dei Fossi is divided into several sections but we walked for the first part

until we reached the Madonna dello Stellario.

This neighborhood so different from the rest of the center was a nice discovery

from a different perspective on the city and even for those who are passionate about photography

there are some very interesting views.

Along the entire Via dei Fossi we find ourselves practically on the opposite side of the walls

and we decide to go out to walk among the Spalti, the name by which they come

called the beautiful meadows that run all around the fortified center. How much green is there

in this city? We loved her for this too! All these flowers and tall grass are not only

on the lawns but also on the internal walls; walking up here at sunset is magical!

Let's go back to the alleys for the umpteenth time,

we've lost count of how many laps we've done today! We pass by San Michele

which with this even more beautiful light and as evening falls

we stop in a tavern; nothing typical to show you this time, sorry,

we were still too full from the days spent in the Marche!

Let's take one last walk anyway! You know that the evening

is our favorite time of the day and we don't want to miss the opportunity to wander

the streets a little longer. In my opinion, Piazza Anfiteatro is even more evocative in the evening

especially now that there is the blue moment.

Perhaps if we had arrived 10 minutes earlier it would have been perfect.

We return to our B&B when it is late, tomorrow morning we will show you better.

In recent days we have slept in Corte Volpe, 10 minutes by car from the center

but surrounded by greenery, a true oasis of peace Patrizia and Mauro were two

exceptional hosts and we thank them for their welcome, if we return to Lucca

we already know where to stay! We load our luggage but we don't go home yet

This morning we returned to the city because we wanted to do something that in our opinion can't

be missed on a trip to Lucca.

Instead of going towards one of the gates we pass through Baluardo San Paolino,

one of the important military fortifications that surround the center and which are

still so perfectly preserved

today's objective: to rent bicycles for the whole morning

we rented bicycles surely as soon as you arrive in Lucca

you will see that there are many places to rent them and the cost is always the same

€5 per hour for the normal ones then there are also the electric ones but and lots of rickshaws!

The complete tour of the walls is 4 km and if you go very slowly and relaxed like us it will take you

less than an hour; there are bars and refreshments where you can stop

and lots of benches from which you can observe the city!

While we were cycling, guess who we met? Just Dustin Hoffman

who was jogging and with this unreal scene of a Hollywood actor running on the

walls of Lucca we salute you! We hope you enjoyed the video and thank you for

making it to the end; as usual if you want to support our work you could leave a like,

subscribe to the channel and leave a comment on what you want, advice, things that

you think we missed in Lucca, places you would like to see one of our itineraries! Have fun!

Oh and one last thing before saying goodbye.

If you are in Lucca you have some time available, don't miss other magical places

such as the oasis of Massaciuccoli or Torre del Lago Puccini, we told you about it in the

video you find on the right, catch it if you haven't seen it yet! Thanks again! Bye bye!