Day 32: Volterra to Lucca

Blue skies, an amazing breakfast spread and we were ready to roll and head to Lucca for two nights, 96 km away.

Our accomodation is a building over four levels, meanders around and has another area that then climbs up to a roof top cafe, another level up to a back yard exit and where our bikes were stored.

You can imagine what Tony said when the key we were given did not fit the padlock and he needed to go to reception….on the ground floor.

Whilst waiting for Tony I took this looking over our accomodation rooftop towards the city hall tower.

Tony was back and his watch said he’d already done more than 10 flights of stairs for the day. The bikes were in the box on the right. The doors open and the lid also slides forward. There is a video camera just above it, and the rear fence has high stone walls and locked gate.

On our way I had to walk two sections to get out, up steep cobbles, and down steep cobbles. Eventually after a km we were free riding, downhill.

Some views as we headed down the slopes.

Looking back at Volterra, mainly vineyards

Once on the valley floor, our route took lots of turns. At one corner this was advertised. Looks like an interesting theatre.

This is the same corner, just further to the right. Bottom right promotion may be more your thing. Quite the offering 😊

Quite a pleasant ride, roads were busy at times, particularly in towns. Other times, we rode through, or skirted around quiet villages. The temperature was getting hot, and there was a headwind present, providing cooling effect.

10 km or so before Pisa we rode sections of this cycle way. It started off ok, this section well compacted white gravel. That is as good as it got though. Most of it was single track on a poorly maintained variety of surfaces. However, it was quiet and free of traffic.

Crossing the Arno River that passes through Pisa

Outskirts of Pisa is this shared pathway bridge

Back on the road, this tree lined street provided lots of shade

Pisa, an interesting city. The waterside buildings all have wooden frame structures attached around windows to accentuate features. Looks like a fairly recent addition. You can see in the photos if you expand them. The frames are all white and varying shapes and sizes.

Santa Maria della Spina, erected around 1230, on the banks of the Arno. It was rebuilt at a later date at a higher level due to fear of flooding.

Arriving at the spot where all the tourists flock in Pisa we were amused by the tourists and the various poses they aim for with the famous leaning tower, Torre pendente as it is locally known, with all the direction signs labelled as such.

Torre pendente, the carrara marble used is particularly clean looking. Not sure if it needs treatment to stay that way, but it is ‘crisp’.

Torre pendente is the bell tower for Pisa Cathedral, located close by. The angle of the lean is quite significant and disturbing really. If it was our house it would likely be condemned, but this has had extra engineering works and safe for tourists to enter, so they say.

Pisa duomo (cathedral), construction began 1063, consecrated 1118

Pisa Baptistery, commenced construction in 1152, completed 1363.

We did not hang around very long in this part of Pisa, pushing our bikes through the crowds, we were keen to keep moving.

There was the usual assortment of junky souvenirs to be purchased, plus those blokes who sell ‘genuine’ well known brand watches!

Surviving Pisa intact, we were back on the open road, and some five km or so down the road found refreshment and shade at a petrol station that had a cafe/bar and umbrellas!

We headed onto another bike path, this one named Puccini. It was also rough and rugged and slower going but we enjoyed the no car element.

Some of the sights from the path.

Group of sheep with a few deer joining them crossed our path. They were not overly perturbed by us.

Our accomodation in Lucca is just outside the stone walls. After our usual showering and laundering we wandered through Porta san Pietro to the old town.

Initial impressions are the the town has more space than say Siena or Volterra, which are very compact.

There are a nice range of older buildings but around them was much construction activity. There is an area with a huge stage and this is why. There are a few concerts there I would have been interested in and looks like Ed was recently in town.

Towers are very popular.

Garibaldi, an Italian general, patriot, revolutionary and republican. In his spare time he collected butterflies…maybe

We headed towards the duomo.

Construction commenced on the duomo in 1063. The great apse with the tall columns remain, with the nave and transepts rebuilt in the 14th century.

The front facade was from 1203 and has incredible detail

I do love these doors and carvings, so beautiful

My interest inside these very old churches are the ceilings. The duomo has incredibly high ceilings and gothic arches. How on earth did they manage that back then, let alone the magnificent art work so very high up.