Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Piazza San Michele; 7.40am-noon & 3-6pm summer, 9am-noon & 3-5pm winter)
One of Lucca's
many architecturally significant churches, this lovely Romanesque edifice marks the spot
where the city's Roman forum once stood. The present building with its exquisite
wedding-cake facade was constructed on the site of its 8th-century precursor over a period
of nearly 300 years, beginning in the 11th century.
Crowning the structure is a figure of the archangel Michael slaying a dragon. Inside,
don't miss Filippino Lippi's 1479 painting of
SS Helen, Jerome, Sebastian and Roch
(complete with plague sore) in the south transept.
Festivals & Events
Summer Festival
(
www.summer-festival.com
)
Top international artists perform in a variety of musical genres at
this July fest.
MUSIC
Puccini Festival
(
www.puccinifestival.it
; Torre del Lago)
Hosted by the nearby village of Torre del Lago in July
and August, this festival has been going for more than 50 years.
MUSIC
Sleeping
Tourist offices have accommodation lists and, if you visit in person, can make reserva-
tions for you (free of charge); pay 10% of the room price as an on-the-spot deposit and the
remainder at the hotel.
Piccolo Hotel Puccini
( 05 835 54 21;
www.hotelpuccini.com
;
Via di Poggio 9; s/d €73/98; )
Snug around the
corner from the great man himself (or at least a bronze statue) and the house where he was
born is this well-run small hotel. Decor is old-fashioned, and its 14 rooms have high ceil-
ings, modern bathrooms and vintage ceiling fans. A simple breakfast costs €3.50 and rates
are around 30% lower in the depths of winter.
HOTEL
€
Ostello San Frediano
HOSTEL
€
