 |
| The next day Benji and I walked the short distance (15 km) from Valpromaro to Lucca. I'm afraid I can't remember much about the landscape in-between, as we were deep in conversation and I'm hopeless at multi-tasking. But I know it was beautiful, for it was Tuscany, after all. However, I do vividly recall the fine approach to the city along the bank of the river Serchio. This brought to mind other watery pilgrim routes into cities — such as the Canal du Midi into Toulouse and the Aisne-Marne Canal into Reims. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| Walled and moated Lucca is a very old settlement — dating back to Etruscan times — and I liked it a lot. We arrived at lunchtime, so had plenty of time to explore. Our accommodation was provided free of charge by a Catholic fraternity, the Misericordia di Lucca — a cosy room with bathroom and cooking facilities right in the centre of town. This we shared with Margarethe, another pilgrim from Germany. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| Later we had a meal together, strolled along the outer wall of this wonderful city, then ended up listening to an open-air concert of Celtic music. On the way back to our room we crossed this charming square, the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro — the site of an ancient Roman amphitheatre. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| The column of the Madonna dello Stellario. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| The Cathedral of San Martino — note the Carrara marble again. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| Detail from the cathedral's portico. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| Medieval labyrinth embedded in the right pier of the portico. Apparently you are supposed to place your finger at the entrance and trace the correct path to the centre — with your eyes shut! (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| The Basilica of San Frediano. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| The tree-sprouting Guinigi Tower. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
 |
| The Church of San Michele in Foro. Just magnificent! (Image from Wikimedia Commons.) |
