Italy Wedding 2021 – Lucca, Italy

Lucca, Italy – Grande Universe Hotel 9/2/21

Today we did the Puccini Home and Museum and then we started on the Rick Steves walking tour. Later that evening we welcomed my brother John and his clan!

The Giacomo Puccini statue in his Piazza where his childhood home was in Lucca.
Entry to the museum ticket office and gift shop.
Musical scores from opening night!!!!

Puccini wrote 16 operas. Of these operas you might know: La Boheme, Madam Butterfly or Toscana!

He was the most celebrated and most famous person of his time in Italy and really around the world!

La Familia!
This is correspondence from Puccini on the opening of Madam Butterfly.

It sounded like he was generous with giving out tickets and even paying for hotel rooms for his family. But it also seems to be some tension in the comments. Families always have issues!

Puccini is on the right.
Tosca was a story from the French playwright pictured here. Puccini bought the copy-write and made it an opera!
An original program from Madam Butterfly!
Puccini loved to draw too! Here he famously signs and draws a musical score on a photo.
Puccini had a summer home in Viareggio – which is by the Mediterranean.
The dresses were spectacular!
This was near the kitchen. It was an outfit that Puccini wore.

Below is a window that overlooks a beautiful terrace of one of the other homes in this building. I tried to take a photo of it to share but I was quickly scolded by a woman that peeked out of one of the windows.

When Puccini finally could we’d his beloved Elvira a friend sent this card that was hand drawn. They lived together for 20 years because she was married to another man. They only wed when he passed away.
Madam Butterfly – of course!
These are the many postcards that Puccini sent. I guess this is where I get it from!!!
The front door of Puccini.

We then went just outside the museum for lunch at Madam Butterfly Cafe.

Later we went for lunch.

Now we decided to begin the Rick Steves walking tour. It began just near the Puccini museum.

San Michele de Foro.

This church is dedicated to St Michael the Arch Angel. And the ‘de Foro’ part is because it sits on top of old ancient Roman Forum. This current church was built in 1143!

The columns all being so different and a wide variety had to bring interest in this church among the people of Lucca!

We continued our walk and came upon this random book seller with two large carts outside his store!

This is when we got lost trying to find the Anfiteatro!

But we saw some cool things so I snapped photos!
Nick and his GPS did not always work in this crowded city with narrow streets and tall buildings.

Then we saw a very helpful sign!!!

My attempt at a pano.
Nick quickly found a gelateria and got his lemoncello spritzer and a cafe americano!
This was such a cool bar and osteria and little grocery near one of the Anfiteatro walkways.

This church was another stop on the Rick Steves tour. It is slightly hidden but well worth seeking it out! Later I found out that Diego and Eleonora were married here!

San Frediano – it is the oldest church in Lucca!

Saint Fridianus, bishop of the city from 560 to 588, founded the church, and it was mentioned for the first time in a document from the year 685 as a Lombard-era basilica. The beautiful mosaic really grabs your attention!

We lit candles for our Moms and Grandmas.
Italian really loves to make their ceilings beautiful!!!
Outdoor markets seem to be anywhere they can fit a table!
This bell tower was difficult to find.

The bell tower stood among the shops and busy streets. It was actually still functioning up until only a few years ago.

Just could not resist this little shop! I got a slice of the pistachio candy! Just like what Noni used to eat!
Nick found lemoncello and some wine!

Then we got back on track and found the bookstore Rick Steve talks about. Notice the benches just outside that are built in to the walls of the exterior!

The beautiful stain glass ceiling inside the bookstore.
And the ancient mosaic floor.

On the walk I spotted a dress store. I had to stop! Then it was on to the hotel to rest before John, Jody, Maddy and Rebecca came in from Pisa!

They had asked the front desk for a dinner spot and they told them Osteria Baralla (Also mentioned by Rick Steves). It was fabulous! We had to present our vaccination card because the girls had reservations inside.

My favorite thing about the evening was when a dog just pranced through the place and Maddy’s eyes went really big! She is loving how the Italian treat their pups!

Back at the hotel! Such a fun crew! Missed Jody – but we will see her tomorrow!

At this point it was about 10pm. We needed more. So we sat outside and enjoyed the evening when all the sudden an opera breaks out in our Piazza!!!!

Fabulous end to a fabulous day in Lucca!!!!

olivemywhiskey's avatar

By olivemywhiskey

Teri is a retired CFO and Nick is a partner in a private equity firm. We are both very irrelevant in the business worlds. We jumped up to a 52 foot boat because we were in need of more adventure. We are on the Great Loop around the East Coast of North America. It's been a wild ride!

1 comment

  1. Again, a great post. Can’t wait to see the wedding. Didn’t realize you were going to the French Riviera too. What a fantastic trip. I am truly jealous. Wish we had joined you. 

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