Lucca town - Stretching from
the foothills of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine to the confines
of the Monti Pisani (Pisan Mountains) in the south, the extremely
fertile territory of Lucca (thanks to the Serchio river which
flows across it) includes the city of Lucca itself and numerous
small towns and villages which form part of the municipality.
The origins of the city date back
to ancient times. It was founded in 180 B. C. and after having
been an Etruscan settlement, it then became a Roman colony.
It was an important garrison of the region during the wars
between the Ligurians and the Romans, and in 56 B. C. Caesar,
Pompey and Crassus met here to form the first Triumvirate.
It enjoyed its period of greatest urban expansion during the
I and 2nd centuries A.D. when important landmarks such as
the Roman Amphitheatre and the first set of city walls were
constructed.
The city then fell into decline during
the crisis of the Western Roman Empire. Later it was invaded
by the Barbarians and was then conquered after the Byzantines
lay siege to the city in 553 A.D. Thereafter it was occupied
by the Longobards, becoming the capital city of Tuscan-Lombardy.
In 1162 it was declared a free state by Emperor Frederick
the First and, during the 12 and 13 centuries the city enjoyed
its greatest political and economic heyday with its products
(especially silk) being exported throughout Europe and the
East. A new set of city walls was built and all the churches
were either reconstructed or enlarged. The most powerful families
commissioned tower-houses to be built as a sign of their wealth
and importance. One of the reason 's for Lucca s rapid development
at this time was its geographical position, as it was situated
along the Via Francigena (one of the most important roads
during the Medieval Age).
In 1400 Paolo Guinigi became the Signore
(ruler) of Lucca, and during this period the city's economic
power was consolidated, so much so that by the 16 century
(thanks to its production of wool and silk) it enjoyed a level
of remarkable prosperity. In 1544 work on the reconstruction
of the third set of city walls was begun (completed in 1650)
and in economic terms the city continued to flourish. However
in 1799 Napoleon conquered Lucca and handed over its control
to his sister Elisa, (wife of Felice Baciocchi) who ruled
from 1804 -1813. In 1817 it became the Duchy of Bourbon under
the rule of Marie Louise of Bourbon who commissioned the architect
Lorenzo Nottolini to design many important landmarks, including
the embellishment of the city walls with the addition of tree-lined
avenues.
In 1847 her son Charles Ludwig of Bourbon
left the city and it then formed part of the Grand Duchy of
Tuscany. Finally, in 1860 the city joined the Kingdom of Italy.
Where is Lucca town: is located in the south of Lucca town
province, on the border with the province of Grosseto. See
the map
How to reach Lucca town:
Nearby: Visit San Galgano, Terme di Petriolo
Distances: Lucca town ***** Km - Florence ***** Km -
Pisa ***** Km - Siena ***** Km - Arezzo ***** Km
Correct name is Lucca town
Common mistakes are Monteriigini,
Monterigggyoni, Monte Rigioni, Mount Riggione
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Lucca town
- Lucca - Tuscany Italy
Lucca town 
