A Fairy Tale City: The Tuscan Town of Lucca

“A fairy tale city,” “the city of a hundred churches,” “a hidden gem”—these are phrases used to describe the enchanting town of Lucca, nestled in the soft hills of Italy’s Tuscany region.

While less-known and celebrated than Florence and Pisa, behind its Renaissance walls, Lucca beams with multifaceted beauty, deep history, exquisite art, and religious heritage. A little off the beaten track, it offers many delights with less of the bustle found in nearby towns. It’s a peaceful and culturally rich city that would be inundated with tourists, were they not distracted by the bigger names in the Tuscany region. The fame of Florence and Pisa works to the advantage of the savvy traveler who can find sanctuary in Lucca.

Streets Where Time Stands Still

Rich with Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture, the winding, interlaced streets of Lucca whisk visitors away to a world in which the past becomes vividly present in a cityscape largely unchanged for hundreds of years. In a striking blend of old and new, mopeds, posh storefronts, and cafe tables intermingle with the well-preserved architecture of another age: medieval archways, engraved bricks, lanterns, columns, and profusely ornamented church facades and frescoes.