Lucca. 19 August.

A bit further out from Bolgheri is a town called Lucca. It is a wonderful town from the medieval era that has kept much of its form and character from that era. 

The first thing that one notices upon entering the old town of Lucca is the great city wall that surrounds it. In fact, several towns, villages, and cities in Italy still have at least some remnants of ancient or medieval city walls that used to surround the city to protect it and the inhabitants from invaders. Almost the complete city walls still surround Lucca, and visitors can even take a stroll up on them. 

Among other things, this city was the birthplace of famous opera composer Giacomo Puccini. (I wouldn't be shocked if it was actually part of the civil code for all Italian citizens to love Puccini's music and operas; my estimation of Puccini is a little different, but you know what they say about opinions...) 

There is a statue in front of a museum dedicated to him, and all of the shops in the piazza are named in honor of him or his operas. (By the way, if you don't know what Puccinni looks like, if you see a sculpture or a photo in Lucca of someone holding a cigarette or a pipe, it's probably Puccinni.)

Among the many churches in Lucca, one of the more interesting is San Michele. It has many features that illustrate the many influences on this region of Tuscanny during the 13th century (such as the diamonds cut into the facade), including some that are interesting and unique to this church (like a different design or color for each individual column).

Another interesting church was San Francesco, which had a large mosaic scene with Christ at the center focal point. 

The cathedral of Lucca is dedicated to St. Martin. His claim to fame is that the young prince was riding his horse, and along his path was a beggar who was cold. Seeing the cold man, Martin cut his cape in half, and gave half to the beggar so that he could be warm. And so Martin was sainted. 

There are many works of art in the cathedral that tell this story, which must make them very proud. Also within the cathedral is an excellent example of funerary sculpture in marble. One rich noble married a young woman, who died while giving birth. To show his love for her, he commissioned a coffin for her to be sculpted out of marble. Perhaps for other reasons, he placed it in a prominent position in this church, and people have been coming to visit the spectacular craftsmanship and artistry of the coffin ever since. 

Once, from ancient times, there stood a large amphitheatre within Lucca. Over the ages, it crumbled, and fell apart. However, they retained the overall shape of the amphitheatre, and built a piazza on the circular foundation. Now in its place, in the shape of an ancient amphitheatre, stand many early-modern buildings and shops that serve as a nice meeting place in the middle of town.