As if the ancient walls around Lucca are not beautiful enough in spring – with trees and grass greening and wildflowers displaying their colors – every year a massive garden show is held atop a section of the walls, giving locals and visitors alike a chance to shop for plantings and décor. The 2019 Verdemura was held earlier this month and what a show it was.

White-tented booths started popping up along a 9,000-square-meter stretch of the wall before the show opened on a Friday afternoon. For the next three days, flowers, herbs, trees, handcrafted birdhouses, garden ornaments, ceramics in spring pastels vegetables, fruits,, and many other items were put on display by 223 exhibitors. (There were food booths where lunch or a snack could be had,, too!)

Wandering from booth to booth, and chatting with the vendors and other shoppers, was a fun way to spend an afternoon. It was also a beautiful reminder of the hope that spring brings. –post by JG