Lucca
The first historical traces of Lucca can be dated back to the Palaeolithic period. Afterwards this area was inhabited by the Ligurians, the Etruscans and in the III century by the Romans. In 180 B.C. it became a Latin colony.
This was a period of splendour for the town because of its strategic position: the most important roads of the time, such as the Cassia, the Aurelia and the Clodia, intersected just outside the town.
The geometrical layout of the town and the Roman Forum can be dated back to this period.
During the barbaric domination Lucca was the capital of the Longobard reign until the IX century. It became a free Comune in 1162 and in the following centuries it knew a new period of riches and splendour thanks to its banking and manufacturing activities and its trades with the rest of Europe and the East. A lot of beautiful and luxury buildings and towers are still today a sign of the prosperity the town enjoyed in that period. In the first half of the XV century Lucca was ruled by Paolo Guinigi who improved its art and architecture: he had some important works made, such as Palazzo Guinigi and the wonderful sarcophagus of his wife, Ilaria del Carretto, which was made by Jacopo della Quercia.
In the XV and XVI centuries the town fought to maintain its indipendence from the nearby powerful Firenze, so new and stronger town walls were erected. The town changed its urban shape completely, as some old buildings and towers were replaced by new stately mansions with towers along the most important streets of the town. In 1799 Lucca underwent the Napoleon rule which lasted for 12 years. The town was ruled by Napoleon’s sister Elisa, wife of Felice Baciocchi. They lived in the Palazzo Pubblico in front of which a large square was opened: Piazza Napoleone. After the Congress of Vienna in 1814, Lucca began to be ruled by Parma. In this period the architect Lorenzo Nottolini planned the squares and the quarters of the town and created the picturesque promenade along the town walls. When in 1847 Lucca became part of the Grand Duchy of Toscana, a period of decay started for the town and ended only with the annexation to the Reign of Italy.
A short drive from Pisa lies Lucca, a lovely city enclosed by massive red brick walls. Built between 1504 and 1645 it represent one of the best-preserved Renaissance defenses in Europe. The origins of Lucca date as far back as 180 BC, and its geometric road network betrays its Roman origins.
We suggest you have a look at the famous San Michele in Foro - a huge marble church built between 1070 and the mid 12th century. This was the site of the ancient Roman Forum, and has a wonderfully rich Pisan Romanesque facade. Then there is the Duomo di San Martino, founded in the 6th century, and rebuilt in the 12th century in pure Romanesque style, boasting splendid white and green marble. Lucca is also the birthplace of the famous composer Giacomo Puccini, his house now containing many momentos of the great musician.
Montecatini
Montecatini Terme is a spa town with c. 20,000 inhabitants. It is able to accommodate every year at least 2,000,000 tourists many of whom register with the renowned health spas.
The area of Montecatini was settled since pre-historical times, but the first mention of Montecatini dates from 716 AD. In 1164 it was a free commune, but was later acquired by the Republic of Lucca. In the 14th century its castle was contented and besieged during the war between the Republic of Florence and the Lucchese condottieri Uguccione della Faggiuola and Castruccio Castracani.
The first baths were built in 1540. In 1554 it gave itself to the Sienese, and was subsequently destroyed in revenge by Cosimo I de' Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany. It recovered starting from the 18th century, when the first bath resorts were built. In the 20th century it became one of the most renowned spa in Italy: people who took rest in Montecatini include Giuseppe Verdi, Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Trilussa, Beniamino Gigli and Luigi Pirandello.
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