Lucca, Italy City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Lucca, Italy Travel Guide has been your connection to Lucca's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Lucca History
The Etruscans were the original settlers of Lucca. By 180 B.C. it was a Roman colony built according to a regular plan in which the urban area was divided into rectangular blocks separated by roads at right angles to one another. In 56 B.C. it was the sight of the First Triumvirate between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. It was the first Tuscan city to convert to Christianity in 47 A.D. Much of its history was lived as a free commune or self governing city. The walls were constructed during the Renaissance period to keep invaders out. Much of its history was lived as a free commune or self governing city. This ended in 1805 when Napoleon created the principality of Lucca and placed his sister in control. Within 12 years it became a Bourbon Duchy before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy. Most of Lucca’s history has been peaceful as the walls with their near perfect condition were rarely tested. Lucca’s most notable citizen was Giacomo Puccini. A prolific composer he is best remembered for his operas which are heard throughout the opera houses of the world. For a more detailed history of the town, perhaps your bed and breakfast innkeepers will indulge you over a glass of wine.
