Lucca Medievale

Hi everyone! We’re continuing to have a wonderful time here in Lucca, it’s hard to believe that four weeks have already flown by! A big thank you to everyone who has subscribed to our travel updates. And just a quick note: if any of my friends or family need a bit of tech help, feel free to send me a text or message me on Facebook — I’m always happy to assist.

This past weekend was especially busy. The city hosted a four-day French Market featuring all kinds of delicious food and goods brought in directly from France. On top of that, there was a fantastic Medieval Festival on Saturday and Sunday, which we really enjoyed.

The festival took place on Baluardo San Paolino, which is only a few hundred metres from our apartment. A baluardo is a triangular bulwark that juts out from the city wall and was originally built for defensive purposes. There are ten of them spaced out around Lucca’s perimeter.

Many medieval towns in Italy have local groups who dress in traditional clothing, and participate in various town events, as well as some that they organize themselves. Some are planned and advertised well in advance, like this big festival, and others seem to be spur of the moment. More than once, we’ve heard music or drums and rushed to the window to see a small parade passing by.

This particular event was well organized, with people of all ages participating. You can see how they get their adult volunteers because they include their kids from a very young age, every one of them dressed in authentic costumes of the time. I just love seeing that kind of community spirit— it’s part of what makes Italy unique.

Tents and displays lined the road that circles the baluardo, giving us a glimpse of life from that time period.