Study Abroad Programs in Italy

Lucca is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is located on the river Serchio, in a fertile plain near the Ligurian Sea. Lucca became a Roman colony in 180 BC. It's historical center still has the original Roman street plan. It was an important city and fortress during the time of Narses, who layed seige to the city in 553. Many years later, in 1316, Lucca came under the rule of Castruccio Castracani. He was a tyrant, but under his rule Lucca grew to become one of the most important cities in central Italy, rivaled only by Florence. Castruccio Castracani died in 1328, and it's importance gradually faded. In 1808 Lucca was invaded by Napoleon Bonaparte, and he installed his sister as Princess of Lucca. It became part of Tuscany in 1847, and then part of the Italian State. There are many medieval churches in Lucca, and some are as old as the 8th century.