We mention le mura (the walls) of Lucca a lot in this blog – they are iconic, historic, the city’s “central park.” Residents and visitors alike spend time on the walls walking, bicycling, running, skating, meeting up with friends, or simply sitting on a bench and looking at the beauty of Lucca and the surrounding Tuscan hills. But outside le mura there is a lot of green space too. Sometimes I choose to walk there – for a change of pace (no pun intended) and because there often are fewer people. In this age of Covid-19, even though Italy’s lockdown is easing, I still think it’s best to avoid large groups of people (could also be the introvert in me).

Getting outside the walls is easy: In addition to the six large “portas” of the walls (through which cars can also come and go), there are numerous exits and entrances that go under the walls – tunnels that lead pedestrians and bicyclists from the center of town (centro storico) to the rest of Lucca.

Once outside, people can walk in grassy fields that surround the walls or on sidewalks that encircle the city. Many parts of the sidewalks are lined with trees. When looking over to the walls, there is a sea of green grass – dotted with wildflowers – and the vibrantly green tree-topped walls under an often-amazingly blue Tuscan sky. There is also a canal that can be seen at various points along the outside of the walls.

Roses galore - frangrant and full bushes of roses - welcome people to Lucca at some of the portas.

To the other side, there is the rest of the city – the train station on the south, and a sampling of historic Liberty-style villas, some of which still serve as homes while others now house businesses. While there can be heavy traffic during “normal” workweeks, it isn’t bad on weekends. And since weekends are when the walls tend to be busier, outside le mura can be less hectic on Saturdays and Sundays.

Though I like to hike in mountains or walk along the beach at the sea, getting that far into nature isn’t always possible. The green space that is available inside and outside the walls of Lucca is one of the many aspects of living here that I love. Not a day goes by when a walk in nature isn’t possible. - post by Judy