Out and About, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

No, it did not snow here in Lucca but rather spring is exploding in the form of blossoming white wisteria flowing down this wall near Piazza San Giovanni.



Lunchtime on Corso Garibaldi. The dome of Teatro del Giglio rises in the background.



The carousel on Piazza Napoleone has been dismantled for movement elsewhere in the city. The animals are standing around patiently waiting for their ride to the new location.



Mellow yellow.



Two things odd struck me - first, the word "stop" is in English, and second, the sign is mounted about 15 (5 meters) feet off the ground. It is not the only stop sign in town although they are very few.

Piazza San Michele, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Where once an ancient Roman Forum stood, the Piazza San Michele has remained the center of Lucca for centuries. San Michele in Foro is the Catholic church that serves as the centerpiece. (I created the above effect by manually arcing the camera while making a panoramic image).



The many columns supporting the facade of the Church are almost all different. There had been a contest to decide which to use - they decided to use them all. A church has stood here for more than a thousand years.



It is a magical spot and always a joy to just "be" and watch the world go by - some parts faster than others.



The south facing side of the Church and piazza is a great spot on a chilly but sunny day to bask in the warmth and enjoy the camaraderie.



Or, you can focus on an electronic device and not notice the wonder around you.



A cyclist on the perimeter of the piazza passes a statue of Matteo Civitali, an Italian sculptor and architect, painter, and engineer born in Lucca in the mid-1400's.

Sometimes I like to stand on the southwest corner of the piazza and simply "be" for a little while. Feel the sun, listen to the babble of voices, watch the kids chase pigeons, remember that life has thrived on this spot for more than 2000 continuous years. Ah, Lucca! Time for a bit of cioccolato fondante gelato, or vaniglia, or baccio, or any flavor......... to reflect on all this wonder.

Baluardo San Martino, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Little did I know that as I walked on the wall, beneath me at the Baluardo San Martino was a wonderful area of brick arches from yesteryear. I really just stumbled upon the entrance.



But what a delight - the subterranean cool air was a nice respite from the hot sun on this day.



Imagine the science hundreds of years ago to build such a place - no strong heavy beams to cross a wide span, only the beauty and grace of multiple brick arches.







Another hidden surprise in the magical city of Lucca.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

There is a wonderful Leonardo da Vinci exhibit in the Church of San Cristoforo on Via Fillungo near the intersection with San Croce.



A fascinating array of his creations are on display and many are working models.



They fill the cavernous space with his genius. Leonardo was born in the 1450's and his concepts were in many cases, generations ahead of their time.  He was, of course, also a painter of exceptional talent and world renown.



The father of modern aviation?



There is also an octagonal mirror room he created which I entered and took a unique selfie of sorts. Does that mean that Leonardo conceived the idea of the "selfie?" Perhaps.

Bright Light Everywhere, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

A "chamber of commerce" day in Piazza San Michele. Bright blue skies, light breezes, and warm temperature.



A new art display has been installed in the piazza with the beautifully reflective surface.



On the wall, the walkers walk.



A biker passes into town through the San Gervasio arch as the day's shadows lengthen. You can tell it's a weekday - if it were a weekend, usually people would be streaming out of the gate to head home from their day visit in Lucca.



Tree branches are like the fingers of the earth, reaching out to wave "hi"!



Ah Lucca, again and always the charmer.

Guinigi Tower, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

If you are willing to make the climb up the stairs to the top of the Guinigi Tower (and pay a fee), this is the glorious view that awaits you on a perfect blustery spring day. (Panorama - click to view larger size if your device supports that action). The tower was built in the 1300's by the wealthy Guinigi family and hosts a number of ancient and mature Holm Oak trees on the very top.



The tower stands about 125 feet high and is maybe 25 feet square at the top (just my guesstimate).



Pick a spectacular day to go up......



....you won't be disappointed.

There aren't many rooftop decks as I gaze out over the city but a few that I can see look quite inviting.  Ah Lucca, lovely from any angle.

Street Scenes, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

We had a few rain showers pass through leaving the Piazza dell' Anfiteatro glistening at blue hour. I made this image which is actually three separate views which I sandwiched together into this panorama. Amazing technology - I can't see where the seams lie and I know where they are. (Click to view larger size if your device supports that action).



People out and about, visiting with friends, family, and strangers. The main streets of Lucca (above Via Fillungo) often feel like everyone's living room and visiting parlor.



Winter has barely ended but some days are already in the 70's F temperature-wise.  That's a mixed blessing sometimes - I like having a coat on so I can fill the pockets with "stuff." Map, camera, wallet, chapstick, pocket knife, crumpled reused plastic bag for groceries, phrasebook, notes, pen, paper, etc. you get the idea. Maybe I should carry a "man bag?" Nope, I'm too American uptight to do that yet.



Always another wonderful narrow street to wander down.



The twice-weekly outdoor market formerly was held inside the northeast area of the wall but has been moved outside into a larger space with parking for cars and a larger vendor area. It is still an easy walk to the market by walking under/through the wall on the foot path, Sortita San Frediano. It is the only time I have left the city walls in the three weeks we have been here. One could live a very full life here and rarely leave the encircling and delightful walls.

Out and About Sights, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Sometimes when I get too overheated from walking around town, I'll duck down under either Baluardo San Martino or Baluardo San Paulino and enjoy the cool subterranean air, the wonderful arches, and the temporary art exhibits.



On the other hand, sitting at a street-side cafe and people-watching is another way to chill out. It is like being inside a foreign film with no script and no director - life unfolding is the only theme.



Turandot, a cafe on Piazza San Michele is washed in sunlight as it faces south across the piazza. They seem to have an ethos here (broadly in Italy not just Lucca) that once you sit down and order something - anything however large or small - you own the table until you are ready to leave.  No bum's rush to vacate when you are finished, no guilt, just relax and enjoy. I can do that - but I do need more practice.

When we arrived in Lucca in early March about a quarter of the wall main path/paved surface was being redone along with plantings. Areas were cordoned off, big machines, trucks, and workers were creating quite a hubbub every day.  I said to myself, this will take months to finish.  Never underestimate the will to complete a project. Barely two weeks later they finished up the repaving, removed all the barricades and equipment, and the Passeggiata dell Mura was fully open again on the entire perimeter for all to enjoy!  The trees are starting to green, the air is warming, spring is in full bloom in lovely Lucca, and the wall is teeming with active residents and visitors of all ages and descriptions.

A Night Walk, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

The Cathedral of San Martino glows brightly in the dark of night as I wandered around town enroute to a concert.



As I walked down Via Fillungo, I experimented with motion blur by selecting a slow shutter speed (1/10 second) and pressing the shutter while rotating the camera on its lens axis. On this one, my camera rotation was too slow.



This one is pretty good but the central elements are too blurred.



This one retained good central focus but has too much radial distortion.



Although I would prefer a human in the image, this one kept good central focus and radial blurring while retaining good definition in the brick wall.

All in all, a successful experiment.  If I were the teacher I'd say, "good effort but needs more work, keep at it."

Sunny and Rainy and Out and About, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Mostly it has been sunny every day on this trip but on this day we had a few sprinkles from time to time between sunshine. This image is made near the "cookie bench." So named because we sat there one day and ate too many vegan chocolate chip cookies we bought from the store, "Green," in Lucca near Piazza San Michele.

The young folks on break from school were smart to have umbrellas on hand in Piazza dell Anfiteatro.



The streets glistened with the coating of rain that looked like a sheen of ice - just to make us New Englanders feel at home.



But of course the sun came back out and normal life resumed.



Pedestrians continued to move about through the Porta dei Borghi, a 13th century gate.



During the showers, window shopping became popular to seek protection under the overhang of the eaves. In this odd view, the Cathedral is reflected in the background of a shop window as are two other folks who are observing an artisan craft a piece of jewelry on the inside of his shop.



And speaking of window shopping........the Alps simulated in folded chocolate seems a good idea.