Lucca in Spring: the unmissable stops
Flowers sprout on the Walls, the locals serve seasonal food and the mild climate encourages walks in the open air: spring is the ideal season to visit Lucca.
Here are some events not to be missed in the city in the coming weeks.
Walk on the Walls
In the exultation of the scent of flowers, the Walls of Lucca instill well-being and tranquility in spring. With a panoramic view over part of the city, you can walk the tree-lined avenue on foot or by bicycle, alone or in the company of your sweetheart.
Not everyone knows that the Walls of Lucca boast a record in Europe: they are the greatest example of a perfectly preserved modern fortification in a large city.
Of Renaissance origins, during the summer the Walls attract artists and performers, eager to perform among the people and the large lawns.
The attractions in the city
Next to the Porta San Gervasio is Villa Bottini, also known as Villa Buonvisi al Giardino: the latter name owes its raison d'être to the author of the building, Bernardo Buonvisi. Built in the mid-sixteenth century, it is the only example of a Lucchese villa within the city walls.
Villa Bottini in spring enchants with the blooming flowers scattered throughout the garden, made up of rounded flowerbeds. Holm oaks, plane trees and cedars of Lebanon embrace the avenues of the park, while magnolias and conifers shade the two fountains.
From Villa Bottini to the nearby Cathedral of Lucca: the Cathedral and Bell Tower of San Martino are among the most important works of Catholic inspiration in Italy. In Romanesque and Gothic style, they are the epicenters of the historic center of the city. Not far away, the Guinigi Tower and the Roman Amphitheater close the circle of the main places of interest, which attract tourists from all over the world to Lucca.
0 km food
From pubs to the most refined wineries, from taverns to luxury clubs: Lucca boasts many alternatives for dining.
The menus of the city center establishments share the great attention to the choice of raw materials, often from the area.
In spring, Garmugia stands out among the typical dishes. Originally intended for the nobles of Lucca, this soup gives its best in spring, when seasonal products are harvested from the gardens to prepare the dish. Asparagus, broad beans, peas and artichokes, mixed with meat and bacon and cooked over low heat in accordance with tradition: served on the table, Garmugia goes perfectly with local red wines.
As proof of the seasonality of the dish, the origin of the name: according to the most accredited hypothesis, Garmugia derives from "sprout", underlining the spring character of the raw materials used in the preparation.
The culinary offer of Lucca does not end with the tasty soup. Also contemplate recipes based on meat, such as tordelli from Lucca seasoned with meat sauce; enhances corn polenta, stuffing it with meat sauce or with mushrooms and Parmesan to prepare Matuffo, a dish born in Garfagnana; expresses its highest gastronomic peaks with Buccellato, the cake made with bread stuffed with raisins and aniseed.
To visit at any time of the year, Lucca exhibits the best version of itself in spring.
Discover the city with the bright colors of the summer: book now your stay in the city center at the Hotel Ilaria, just a few steps away from the main attractions and activities.
