Lucca is a city on the Serchio river in Italy’s Tuscany region. It’s known for the well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city center and its cobblestone streets.

The Middle Ages ensured further growth for Lucca, which became a pilgrimage destination on the Via Francigena thanks to the presence of the Holy Face in the church of San Martino. Despite the constant fighting between Guelphs and Ghibellines, in the 14th century Lucca was undoubtedly one of the most important cities of the Italian Middle Ages. A period of great decadence followed under the subsequent rule of the Visconti family and the dictatorship of Giovanni Dell'Agnello, Doge of the Republic of Pisa.
Having obtained its freedom again in 1370 thanks to the intervention of Emperor Charles IV, Lucca chose a republican government and returned to fame in Europe. After the brief period of the Signoria of Paolo Guinigi, Lucca remained an independent republic until 1799, when it fell under Austrian rule. It became a principality and then a duchy of Maria Luisa of Bourbon, and finally entered the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In 1860 Lucca became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

by Movie-Kino