Day 5 - Lucca and on to the Cinque Terre
The morning of day 5 we left our comfortable hotel in Volterra and headed off for the Cinque Terre. But first we were going to stop in Lucca for a quick city tour and lunch!
Lucca was founded as a Roman colony in 180 BC and is known for its well-preserved Renaissance-era walls that surround the historic center of the city. The city wall, seen below, is now a bike and pedestrian path.
Lucca was founded as a Roman colony in 180 BC and is known for its well-preserved Renaissance-era walls that surround the historic center of the city. The city wall, seen below, is now a bike and pedestrian path.
Travel Tip: Along the way our guide Andrea would turn the group free to go have a meal. A couple of times he would say he knew a good place to eat and would invite anyone that wanted to come along. We always went with him and these meals turned out to be great experiences and great food. So if your guide says they know a place, go with them. They know the best spots!
In medieval Italy, towers were a common feature of many cities, serving as defensive structures during times of conflict. One unique feature of these towers was the location of the door, which was often placed on the second level, well above ground level.
This design was intentional, as it made it much more difficult for raiders in armor to enter the tower. The narrow staircases leading up to the door were deliberately made to be too tight for armored soldiers to fit through, forcing them to remove their armor before entering.
The second-level door also provided an additional layer of defense, as attackers would have to climb a steep staircase while being exposed to potential attacks from the defenders above.
These towers were not just for defense, however. Many also served as status symbols for wealthy families, who would construct them as a display of their wealth and power. Some towers even had multiple levels, with each level serving a different purpose such as storage, living quarters, or lookout points.
Today, many of these towers still stand as reminders of Italy's rich history.
This design was intentional, as it made it much more difficult for raiders in armor to enter the tower. The narrow staircases leading up to the door were deliberately made to be too tight for armored soldiers to fit through, forcing them to remove their armor before entering.
The second-level door also provided an additional layer of defense, as attackers would have to climb a steep staircase while being exposed to potential attacks from the defenders above.
These towers were not just for defense, however. Many also served as status symbols for wealthy families, who would construct them as a display of their wealth and power. Some towers even had multiple levels, with each level serving a different purpose such as storage, living quarters, or lookout points.
Today, many of these towers still stand as reminders of Italy's rich history.
Our Must-Do's in Lucca
Amy's : Go to the square that was once a Roman Amphitheater. See the vibrant yellow homes that now surround the former space.
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Rick's: Take a stroll on the city wall. It has been turned into a pedestrian path. The views from atop the wall are impressive.
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