Lucca through the ages

Lucca in 1420

Republic of Silk

Lucca in 1420 is Paolo Guinigi's silk republic, a compact medieval city of commerce and towers held within its ancient walls. The walk moves from the river plain into market squares, along mill channels where silk is thrown and dyed, past lofty private towers and marble church fronts, ending on the ramparts that look out over mulberry orchards and the Serchio.

The skyline is a close constellation of brick and stone towers, squat church campaniles and the occasional marble façade, all in a palette of warm terracotta, pale local marble and dark timber. Streets are narrow and flagged, opening into small market piazzas where arcades and loggias catch light; watercourses and mill channels cut cool shadows beside wooden sheds. Mulberry trees and the green crowns of rooftop oaks on Torre Guinigi break the compact roofscape, while merchants, clerks and artisans animate every lane.

Planned from the Wikipedia record: Republic of Lucca.