Feeling energetic this summer? Why not find yourself a luxury villa in Tuscany and pay a visit to the Torre Guinigi, or Guinigi Tower, in Lucca?
You will have quite the climb ahead of you, with over 200 steps to the top, but I can assure you that it will be well worth the effort!
Lucca, famous for its medieval architecture and intact city walls was once home to many tall towers, precursors to skyscrapers. Of the 250 towers like this that once existed in the city, the Torre Guinigi is sadly one of the very few that still stands there today.
You will have quite the climb ahead of you, with over 200 steps to the top, but I can assure you that it will be well worth the effort!
Lucca, famous for its medieval architecture and intact city walls was once home to many tall towers, precursors to skyscrapers. Of the 250 towers like this that once existed in the city, the Torre Guinigi is sadly one of the very few that still stands there today.
The towers were built during the era when Italy was full of mercenaries and political upheaval and still recovering from plague years in Italy. It was logical that these towers were added on to buildings as defensive features.
However, the wealthy families that built them often had other considerations in mind, such as showing off and making bold statements about their wealth and power. The taller the tower, the more prestigious the family – or so they wanted others to believe.
At an impressive 125t tall, the Torre Guinigi certainly makes a statement about the status of the Guinigi family – a wealthy group of silk merchants who were one of the leading families in Lucca at the time.
Added around 1384 to their complex of mansions and buildings between Via Sant'Andrea and Via Guinigi, this brick structure punctuated by windows and coats of arms, cornices and plaques is typical of Romanesque-Gothic Lucca architecture.
The garden was probably added in the 14th or 15th century but certainly existed by 1600 as drawings of the city from this time make its presence apparent. The trees represent renewal or rebirth and it seems hardly a coincidence that the Guinigi had seven sons at the time the tower was built.
Less typical, however, is the feature atop the tower; a wonderful hanging garden featuring seven holm oaks.
Their luck seems to have begun and ended with being born into the Guinigi family as, despite their wealth and prestige, three died of plague and another was assassinated.
Considering their misfortune and the deaths that plagued the family, it seems logical that they would hope for renewal.
However, the wealthy families that built them often had other considerations in mind, such as showing off and making bold statements about their wealth and power. The taller the tower, the more prestigious the family – or so they wanted others to believe.
At an impressive 125t tall, the Torre Guinigi certainly makes a statement about the status of the Guinigi family – a wealthy group of silk merchants who were one of the leading families in Lucca at the time.
Added around 1384 to their complex of mansions and buildings between Via Sant'Andrea and Via Guinigi, this brick structure punctuated by windows and coats of arms, cornices and plaques is typical of Romanesque-Gothic Lucca architecture.
The garden was probably added in the 14th or 15th century but certainly existed by 1600 as drawings of the city from this time make its presence apparent. The trees represent renewal or rebirth and it seems hardly a coincidence that the Guinigi had seven sons at the time the tower was built.
Less typical, however, is the feature atop the tower; a wonderful hanging garden featuring seven holm oaks.
Their luck seems to have begun and ended with being born into the Guinigi family as, despite their wealth and prestige, three died of plague and another was assassinated.
Considering their misfortune and the deaths that plagued the family, it seems logical that they would hope for renewal.
It is also said that the tallest tree was planted by Paolo Guinigi who was later captured and imprisoned by Francesco Sforza and before he was executed, every leaf fell from the tree.
Since then, the tower and palace below have been donated by the family to the local government and are now a must-see attraction in the town.
Make the climb to the top of the Torre Guinigi (check out all the details about opening times and dates and the entry fees here) and take in the amazing views over Lucca.
Since then, the tower and palace below have been donated by the family to the local government and are now a must-see attraction in the town.
Make the climb to the top of the Torre Guinigi (check out all the details about opening times and dates and the entry fees here) and take in the amazing views over Lucca.
Photo credits
picture 1: LivornoDP / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Hosseman / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 1: LivornoDP / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Hosseman / CC BY-SA 3.0;
