Lucca Local Customs

On the 13th there is the main celebration. A religious procession walk through the streets of old town, leaded by the Bishop, showing old flags and holy images. At the end all the people rushes on the Walls to see the fireworks starting at about 10.30-11 PM.

There are two main exhibition areas in town:
the first is San Micheletto. Former a convent, now it is open for exhibitions, courses and for the city university that is going to start lessons very soon.
The second spot it's in the tensioned structure beside the Sport Palace, near the Walls in the outer parte between Porta Santa Maria and Porta San Donato.

In the weekends and on the 12th and 13th there is a market in the open in Borgo Giannotti and adjacent zone up to the Sport Palace. Food, clothes, kitchen stuff, tiny animals, handcrafts, shoes, and whatever you need is sold in this area just outside Porta Santa Maria.

During the month of September in Lucca there are a lot of events. This because on the 13th the Holy Cross is celebrated as the patron saint of the city (actually is only one of the many saints celebrated...and I can't say certainly which is really the patron).
Markets, exhibitions, religious activities drag on the whole month.

Everywhere you go in Italy you will see very cute little cars!!

And not only are they cute, they are sensible too - particularly in a city like Lucca that has narrow streets and limited parking - the smaller the car the easier your day to day motoring is.

Now, just make sure you don't do too much shopping though....

; ))

Wandering around the streets of Lucca you will come across some local commerce, mainly when you stay out of main streets and routes. Some lovely small shops with typical ambiance will provide you a memorable image of Lucca. A couple of elderly ladies talking at the door of this drugstore is a vivid memory of less touristy Lucca that I'm sure I will always remember.

A most common sight in Lucca - a bicycle - is also present on this scene.

Frequently in Winter you can see some grey herons, that usually live in some segments of the Serchio river, looking for fishes in the moats around the Walls.
Very singular!!!