Lucca

Lucca began as a Roman settlement.  Christianity came here early and it's said that the first bishop was a disciple of Peter.

 

 The pizza was amazing and, like gelato, we ate it everyday!

We usually ordered it "da porta via" (to go) and ate it in one of the beautiful piazzas.

 

 

The archangel Michael stands ready to flap his wings on top of San Michele church (which he did occasionally due to pulleys attached to the back!)

One of the many amazing statues around the city.

 

 Who doesn't love a carousel ride?

 Daddy sure loves it!

 Aaargh! How did I get stuck with these two drivers!?!

 

Biking around the city walls was the kids' favorite part of the whole trip.

Separate Roman, Medieval and Renaissance walls that surrounded the city were combined by Napoleon's widow (he had taken a liking to Lucca after invading Italy) to create a park that surrounds the city and provides gorgeous views of the Lucca sights.

 Beautiful girls!

 Eating in a café within the old Roman Amphitheatre in the heart of the city.

 Standing in front of Porta San Pietro, one of the gates entering Lucca.

Posing in front of the ramparts that surround the city.