The Last Lion of the Roman Amphitheatre in Lucca

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Anna

I have lost count of the number of times a disorientated tourist has stopped me to ask where the  Roman amphitheatre can be found especially when I find myself in Via Fillungo (the main shopping street of Lucca) near the church of San Frediano.  I can comprehend their puzzlement when I point to a narrow street where the buildings aligned hide from view the remains of the amphitheatre which dates from the I – II century ad.  Few people realize that to stand before a simple Renaissance or late Gothic palazzo (building) in Lucca is like having Doctor Jekyll or Mr Hyde before you:  you have two or more personalities within the same body.  In this town, it is often more interesting to not stop at external appearances, but investigate further, get to the roots, and discover with pleasant...

Art Itineraries for Tourists

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Anna

I present you with, not a treatise on art history in regards to the two artists, but an opportunity to compare two altars, both superb works of art, one located in the cathedral of Pisa, and the other in the cathedral of Lucca.  The two altars are respectively, that of San Biagio by Stagio Stagi situated on the east wall of the left transept in the cathedral of Pisa, and that of San Regolo by Matteo Civitali Read all →

The Wells of Lucca

Posted on October 4, 2009 by Anna

According to tradition, in ancient times, Lucca was supplied with water via aqueduct, possibly an underground one, starting in proximity of Moriano.  The aqueduct was the source of numerous fountains, of which, some locations are known to us even today ( it should be mentioned that the layout of the ancient roman aqueduct was probably still in existence at this time and according to Silva reached approximately, as far as to where the church of San Frediano stands today) Read all →