Lucca - San Francesco

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805.

A convent of the Franciscan order ("Grey Friars") existed in Lucca since 1228. The convent´s church San Francesco, seen here, was erected outside the city walls in the 14th century, and now needs some really serious renovation.