Day 29: Lucca - rest day

Lucca has really captured my heart. There is something very special about this place. The fact that the "old city" is still entirely encased by walls totally blows my mind. You see many fortified cities in Europe, but I have never seen fortifications so complete (and so maintained). The existing wall dates from the 1500s (the original bulit in the 1200s) and are so thick - everyone who lived here must have felt so protected and safe. Honestly, the word impregnable comes to mind. I did the tourist thing today and walked the 4km of walls. I was told it would take an hour, but it took me most of the day as I would dip back into the town to see some sight of interest - mostly churches. I climbed three church towers and found that my fear of heights has not completely gone! My pilgrim credential got me free entry into the Basilica (San Frediano) and the Duomo (house of God - I love that description): Saint Martin's Cathedral. I'm off to a Puccini concert tonight (Puccini's women); Lucca is his birth place. I feel reinvigorated today and so glad I chose this place for some rest days.Read more