Lucca

The well-known art city is enclosed within the tree-lined circle of the 16th century walls, over which many old towers emerge: the red and tree-topped Guinigi tower, the Torre delle Ore and others, together with the crenellated bell towers of the churches.

Within the city walls is a fascinating town full of treasures. Ancient narrow streets lined with tall brick or stone buildings, graceful alleys blooming with geraniums, hidden squares with fountains, the golden gleam of Byzantine mosaics, gardens full of statues behind iron gates, and above everything the glitter of the precious polychrome marble of the monumental churches looming over the busy squares: San Michele, San Frediano and the Cathedral of S. Martino, inside of which the 'Volto Santo' is guarded in a precious little temple. Further on, in the shadows, rests Ilaria del Carretto, enclosed in Jacopo delle Quercia's white sarcophagus.