Italian News Headlines 15-07-2025: 45 people were injured in Rome when a petrol station exploded, following a smaller explosion caused by a truck hitting a gas pipe --- Twenty Italian seaside resorts have been awarded Cinque Vele status by the Legambiente and Touring Club Italiano, of which six are in Sardinia. The beach at Domus de Maria, in southern Sardinia, has received the highest ranking in 2025 --- The world's most famous Tik Toker, Italian, Kharby Lame, was arrested and then expelled from the United States for remaining in the country after his visa expired. --- The Italian navy training ship, Amerigo Vespucci, arrived in Cagliari to be welcomed by Luna Rossa, the winner of the 37th America's Cup youth and women's tournament --- Italy will host the 38th edition of the America's Cup in Naples in 2027 --- Robert Francis Prevost from the USA has been chosen as the new pope, taking the name, Pope Leo XIV --- Two floating cranes, one of which is among the most powerful in Europe, have begun the process of lifting the sunken superyacht, the Bayesian, to the surface off the coast of Sicily --- Italian racing driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the F1 Mercedes team's replacement for Lewis Hamilton, became the youngest driver to take a Formula 1 pole position for the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix --- King Charles III addresses the Italian Parliament in Italian, during his state visit of Italy --- A new discovery at Pompei has uncovered near life-sized frescoes that depict religious practices that were popular in the ancient city before its destruction in AD79

Lucca

Lucca

The beautiful, historic city of Lucca is an unspoiled medieval centre which is totally enclosed by walls. The city has expanded and been modernised many times but the walls have remained intact and in excellent condition throughout.

Map of Lucca

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The walls are 4,200 metres in length, wide and very high. On the outside they are brick but inside they are grassy slopes with each one of the four sides of the wall planted with a different species of tree. It makes a very pleasant and interesting trip to either walk or cycle right the round the top of these walls. The views of the city, with its stunning historical buildings and its many parks is quite spectacular from the top of the wall. This trip is certainly a must for all keen photographers.

Lucca has barred all general traffic from driving within the city walls and the locals tend to cycle everywhere. There are many places to hire bicycles, both by the city walls and within the centre. It is an excellent way to get around and see the city and would mean you could easily manage both the city centre and a trip around the walls all within one day.

Once inside the city you will at first be a little stunned by the number of historical buildings, some even dating back to the 8th century, all of which are in excellent condition. All around these buildings there is a maze of little winding roads which disappear into alleys, lead down to vaults or suddenly open up into a sunny square filled with bars and cafes. Houses, businesses, shops, cafes, offices, art galleries, restaurants and bars all blend into together in the ancient buildings which line the narrow streets.

The main square is called Piazza San Martino and it is here that you will find the unmistakeable white topped cathedral 'Duomo di San Martino'. This unusual, 6th Century cathedral is home to many works of art, including the celebrated and locally treasured Volto Santo, an ancient crucifix and christ carved from cedar wood.

A particularly good example of medieval architecture is the Guinigi Tower. This was once part of a group of mansions and four towers belonging to the most important family of the city, the Guinigi. This is the only tower left standing and it is 44.25 metres high and and has trees growing from its top. It is possible to climb Torre Guinigi and the views make it well worth the effort. Lucca is not very large and as it is flat and contained it is possible to see all the famous landmarks, historic buildings and maze of streets from the top of the tower.

Another famous landmark is the 'Piazza dell´Anfiteatro', a small oval piazza with entrances at the four points of the compass and stands on the site of what was once a Roman amphitheatre.

Lucca is a fascinating and beautiful city, full of stunning sights but small enough to get around easily. There are plenty of places to eat and drink and some beautiful hotels to stay in. There are also some fascinating little shops around the maze of narrow streets. These cobbled streets are traffic free but full of people on bicycles, which makes a pretty sight as they weave around all the old buildings.

Lucca
Population: 89,204
Male: 42,414
Female: 46,790
Population density: 480.8 per square km

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  • Regional Information

    • Area: 22,990 km²
      Population: 3.6 million
      Density: 157/km²
      Capital: Florence

      National Parks:
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      Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, and Campigna
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Hotels in Tuscany
Hotels in Tuscany
TuscanyWEATHER
Tuscany Climate (Florence)
 
High
Low
Sun
Rain
Jan
15
8
4
63
Feb
15
8
4
52
Mar
17
9
5
43
Apr
19
11
6
31
May
24
15
7
17
Jun
28
18
9
9
Jul
31
22
10
6
Aug
31
22
9
9
Sep
28
19
7
29
Oct
24
16
6
53
Nov
20
12
4
63
Dec
17
10
4
59
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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