France and Italy, 2004

Lucca is another walled city, although rather larger than the others where we stayed and not on a hilltop. The top of the walls is now a broad pedestrian walk, and the moat area is green fields. The wall and fields give a clear boundary between the old town and its modern suburbs.

We had a small apartment across the street from the church of San Frediano. This photo shows the interior of the church. The mummified remains of St Zita (died 1278) are on display in a side chapel, except for the one day a year when she is taken out so that people can touch her.......

Just down the street is Palazzo Pfanner, with an interesting garden with a fountain and statuary. The house contained an exhibition of gruesome medical instruments from the early 20th century. The film "Portrait of a Lady" was filmed here..

Another of Lucca's many churches is the Duomo (Cathedral) di San Martino, with a multi-arched facade.

Then there is the Torre Guinigi, with an oak tree growing from its roof.