Issuu

The ÖBB connect Europe

ÖBB connects numerous European cities with modern day and night services.

During the day, ÖBB Railjets offer fast and comfortable long-distance travel in Economy, First, and Business classes.

At night, the ÖBB Nightjet provides a relaxing and environmentally friendly journey across Europe. Whether

you prefer a seat, new Mini Cabins, or couchette and sleeper cars – every travel preference is catered for.

Within Austria, ÖBB Cityjets guarantee punctual and comfortable local and long-distance transport.

Further information and booking options can be found via the info button, which leads directly to the ÖBB booking page.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

A RRIVAL

L UCCA

M USEUMS

S IGHTS

C HURCHES

S HOPPING

I MPRINT

Arrival

Sleeping to Lucca

The ÖBB Nightjet takes travelers safely, comfortably, and completely stress-free to Bologna or La Spezia, from where it’s just a few stops to Lucca. Whether it’s a business or leisure trip, traveling by train is not only more comfortable but also signiﬁcantly more environmentally friendly.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Lucca

Lucca

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Museums

Puccini Museum

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Villa Guinigi

The “Museo Nazionale di Villa Guinigi” is housed in one of Lucca’s most beautiful palaces. The construction of the building began in 1413 under Paolo Guinigi, the then-ruler of Lucca.

Exhibits include artifacts from past cultures, medieval art, and neoclassicism.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Santi Giovanni e Reparata

This church is an interesting archaeological museum. The original foundation of the building has been uncovered, and an intermediate ceiling has been installed.

Here, one can admire the remains of an early Christian church and a Roman bathhouse. Some of the excavated artifacts are displayed in the Villa Guinigi.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Sights

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden was established in 1820 under Maria Luisa of Bourbon. Today, the well-maintained facility serves as a green oasis within Lucca’s city walls. Originally, the city’s second defensive ring ran here, now marked only by a mound of white stones.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca 22

The villa, dating from the 16th century, was built by the Buonvisi family. Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister, Elisa, acquired this noble residence at the beginning of the 19th century.

Today, the prestigious rooms can be rented for events and exhibitions of all kinds.

Villa Bottini

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

steps. From the top, you can view the city from a bird’s-eye perspective. A 15th-century chronicle already includes an

the 16th century. The last descendant of the once-powerful Guinigi family bequeathed the tower to the city of Lucca.

Guinigi Tower

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

over its ownership, earning it the nickname “Torre della Lite,” the Dispute Tower. The 18th-century clock mechanism can be viewed after climbing about 200 steps. The largest of the three bells rings hourly. The clock

Lucida Mansi, who sold her soul to the devil for eternal youth. After thirty years, she had to pay her debt and tried to stop the clock at midnight on August 14, 1623. Her attempt to stop the mechanism in time failed, and the devil

Clock Tower

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

City Wall

The over 4-kilometer-long wall is one of Europe’s bestpreserved city fortiﬁcations. The ﬁrst construction efforts date back to the 2nd century. In 1550, the century-long

construction began. Napoleon’s sister, Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Princess of Lucca, ordered the planting of trees on the 12-meter-wide wall.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Pfanner Palace

In 1660, the Moriconi family began construction but had to sell it in 1680 due to ﬁnancial difﬁculties. In 1846, Felix Pfanner, a brewer from Hörbranz, rented parts of the palace and brewed beer in Lucca.

The Pfanner Brewery was a popular meeting place for locals until 1929. The Pfanner family still lives in the palace today.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Theater

The theater’s history dates back to the mid-17th century. After a ﬁre, the building was rebuilt in 1692. In 1817, it was renamed “Teatro del Giglio” in honor of the Bourbon

dynasty. The Teatro del Giglio is one of Italy’s oldest theaters.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Via del Fosso

Via del Fosso is divided into two parts by a narrow canal. The canal is bordered on both sides by a brick wall. The river is part of the moat (Fosso) of the city’s old

fortiﬁcations. The clear water, reminiscent of Venice, is home to many ﬁsh.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Amphitheater Square

The square is the interior of the Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century. Since Roman times, the ground level has been raised by about 90 cm. The walls house numerous shops and restaurants.

From the outside, parts of the historic building’s structure can still be recognized.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Churches

San Martino Cathedral

The wealthy merchants of Lucca were primarily responsible for the many churches here. Traditionally, the eldest son took over the business, the third went to the military, and the second entered a monastery. If the family had enough wealth, they would fund a church.

The cathedral’s facade, built in front of the church, was modeled after Pisan examples. Special attention was given to the unique design of each column. The corner columns of the

upper rows are knotted double columns, considered a medieval charm to ward off evil. The Shrine of the Holy Face from 1484 is very impressive. Visitors to the cathedral should also linger at the sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia from 1406.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

San Francesco

Construction of San Francesco began in 1228, intended as a Franciscan monastery church. The building was repeatedly modiﬁed and expanded and has been used as a

church since 1902. The Lucca-born composer Luigi Boccherini is buried in the church.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

San Frediano

Built between 1112 and 1147, San Frediano was granted the honorary title of Basilica Minor by the Pope in 1957. The church’s tower stands on the east side. The Romanesque church’s facade features a magniﬁcent mosaic of the “Ascension of Christ.” The impressive 12thcentury baptismal font is located in the entrance area.

In San Frediano, one can also ﬁnd the relics of Saint Zita of Lucca. According to tradition, she was born in 1212 or 1218 near Lucca and died on April 27, 1272. The charitable maid was canonized on September 5, 1696.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Frediano of Lucca was born around 520 in Ireland and died in 588 in Lucca. He was the son of the Irish king Ulaid. In 540, he made a pilgrimage to Rome and founded a monastery upon his return. After returning to Italy, he was appointed Bishop of Lucca in 560. During his tenure, he is said to have performed numerous miracles. The painting on the following page depicts how he prevented the city’s ﬂooding through prayers. Frediano died in 588 and was buried under the high altar of the church dedicated to him.

The church, built in the 12th century, stands on the site of the former Roman forum of the city. As is easily recognizable, the exterior cladding and facade were constructed for a taller planned nave.

Here, too, the knotted double columns ward off evil from the church.

San Michele in Foro

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Santa Maria Forisportam

The church Santa Maria Forisportam, also called Santa Maria Bianca, dates from the 12th century. The name derives from the fact that it once stood outside the city.

The church houses several beautiful paintings. The outer arches are elaborately decorated.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Shopping

Shopping in Lucca

If you’re looking for the typical commercial landscape with repetitive chains and brands, Lucca is the wrong place. Here, you’ll ﬁnd shops, cafés, and stalls where you feel like a valued customer.

with the ÖBB nightjet to Lucca

Imprint

OBB Nightjet and OBB Nightjet Partner

IT02_EN_Lucca

The team

This e-book was made possible through the kind support of the regional tourist ofﬁces and the OBB. German proofreading and editorial: Martin Andergassen.

References

Text, videos and photos by Rudolf J. Strutz unless otherwise stated. Timetables and travel information: OBB

Assistance from AI

Artiﬁcial intelligence applications are occasionally employed for image editing, including the elimination of undesirable components. Additionally, AI tools can enhance the clarity of images and diminish background noise.

OBB railnet

The travel guides are also available free of charge on the OBB online entertainment and internet portal railnet, which is installed on all railjets, nightjets (NG) and cityjets

Experience the OBB trains in 360°.

This book was licensed under the Creative Commons License. Conditions of use: attribution, non-commercial, no editing and distribution under the same conditions only as a complete work! The use of individual photos and text is not permitted. This eBook is available free of charge.

Links

All links provided are current at the time of publication of this ebook. Links to tickets usually lead directly to the exhibition location. For tickets and timetables, local public transportation services are linked.