Puccini House and Museum, Lucca

The Giacomo Puccini Museum was inaugurated in 1979, and it belongs to the Puccini Foundation (established in 1973). It is located in the house where Giacomo Puccini, the last of a family of musicians who dominated the musical scene in Lucca, was born. This house is situated at Corte San Lorenzo, 9 in Lucca.

Puccini was born on December 22, 1858. He spent his childhood and early youth in this home before they moved to Milan where he continued his studies. He loved this house in Lucca where he was born, and it was his will that it should remain the property of his family.

The museum has a number of documents and memorabilia concerning his life and work. The piano used by Puccini for the composition of Turnandot is here. It was extremely rewarding to see Puccini's home, his piano, and his music. In my mind's eye, I could picture him sitting at his favorite location creating his beloved pieces all those years ago. Just think, he still lives today!

Admission charges: Under $5.00 (American)

Opening Time:
10-13 and 15-18 (from March to June 30
and Sept. 1 to Nov. 15)

10-13 and 15-19 (July and August)

10-13 (From Nov. 16-Dec.31)

Closed on Mondays

Lucca is the birthplace of a surprising number of composers, but none are as famous as Giacomo Puccini, the man behind "Madame Butterfly", "La Boheme", "Manon Lescault" and "Tosca", among other well-known operas. Puccini was born at No. 9 Corte San Lorenzo. The house was turned into a small museum in 1979, but it's closed indefinitely. Of course, that doesn't stop visitors from taking a quick look at the house that saw this great composer, born into a family of musicians, grow up and develop an interest in music after having seen a performance of Verdi's "Aida" in Pisa. On the little piazza near his childhood home there's a nice statue of Puccini, very justly portrayed holding a cigarette in his hand.

it is a small museum of portraits and sketches. Really not a lot to see inside. The price was 3 euro and at most took 30 minutes to see. Annually there is a famed opera called Festival Puccini, and tickets are coveted. Open 10-1-3-6 daily except for Monday and other times and closed Jan through March. Check before counting on it. It was closed the first time we tried during times it says open.