Presentation competition
Abingdon and District Twin Towns Society
Sint-Niklaas
Lucca, Italy
Lucca is in Tuscany 13 miles north of Pisa and 43 miles west of Florence, with a population of 93,000 and was twinned with Abingdon in 1972. It is our largest twin town with a long history dating back to 212 BC.
Lucca has passed through three civilisations, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance and
evidence of this can still be seen today. Its street plan still follows the original
Roman one. The Medieval walls and four gateways still survive, as do many palaces
and mansions. The present city walls built in the 14th and 16th centuries completely
encircle old Lucca and represent the Renaissance period and are a pleasant 3-
Silk and velvet weaving and Banking formed the basis of Lucca's economy. Today Lucca is noted for wine, olive oil and tobacco and the paper industry. It is the birthplace of the composers Puccini, Boccherini and Catalani.
Lucca's numerous squares provide ideal venues for art exhibitions and concerts. Its main historical/religious festival called Luminara is held annually on 13th September as it has been for the last 1000 years.
Useful links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucca
https://www.discovertuscany.com/lucca/
https://www.turismo.lucca.it/en/home-
