Lucca is a charming town in Tuscany, only 1 hour and a half away from Portovenere by car. It is known for being the birthplace of world-class composer Giacomo Puccini and as one of Italy’s art cities for its well preserved historical buildings. Among these are the distinctive 16th-century city walls that are entirely accessible on foot or bike: a panoramic walkway over 4 kilometers long!
This Tuscan town is called the “city of one hundred churches” for its many religious buildings. One not to be missed is the Duomo di San Martino, where you will find art masterpieces like Ilaria del Carretto’s Tomb by Jacopo Della Quercia and the Volto Santo (a wooden crucifix that is also the ancient symbol of the city).
Lucca is also worth visiting for its shopping street called Il Fillungo, its ancient Roman Amphitheatre, and the tall Guinigi Tower with trees and a garden at the very top.
In addition to all these beautiful sights, Lucca is an exciting town to visit for all the events it hosts. Examples include the annual Lucca Comics and Games festival (Europe’s largest festival for comics, movies and games), Lucca Summer Music Festival, Lucca Film Festival, and the Lucca Biennale Cartasia (an international biennial contemporary art exhibition focusing on Paper Art).
Do you like museums? Lucca is home to classic museums like the National Art Gallery, full of splendid Renaissance artworks, and a one-of-a-kind place like the Museo Della Zecca, i.e. the Mint Museum!
Visiting Lucca’s Mint Museum: a unique experience
Lucca has been minting money for 12 centuries, from the 6th century during the Kingdom of the Lombards to the 19th century. This makes Lucca home to one of the longest-lived mints in Europe. This historical activity can be admired in the Museum of the Fondazione Antica Zecca di Lucca, set in the Casermetta San Donato on the magnificent ancient walls.
Whether you are a coin collector, an expert numismatist or have never thought of coins before, visiting this unusual Museum is a unique experience. For example, you can admire the ancient hammer coinage technique and the coinage on a rocker press. The latter is made using the only existing original press from the mint of the Duchy of Lucca, dating back to the first half of the 19th century.
In the Mint Museum of Lucca, you will find ancient coins, medals modeled by the city’s most skilled engravers, coin scales and coin weights, models and casts – among other exciting things. Here, history is intertwined with art and industrial archeology!
Lucca day trip with Grand Hotel Portovenere
Grand Hotel Portovenere offers its guests authentic experiences to explore, feel, smell and taste its beautiful territory between Liguria and Tuscany. One of these is the “Discovering Lucca” day trip that includes a visit to the Mint Museum, a traditional light lunch in a delicious osteria, and a guided tour on foot or bike around the ancient city center.
NEW! The hotel’s exclusive “Between Liguria & Tuscany” Amenities Line now includes brand new aroma diffusers, made with local marbles and embellished with a golden insert forged by the Collegio dei Monetieri Toscani, which carries out the centuries-old tradition of the Mint of Lucca.
Italy has an incredibly rich history and art. It is an amazing country and I want to travel all the way around.