21
Mar 2016
by Tuscany Ride Bike
Who comes to Lucca will surely remain impressed by the fountains, from the monumental ones in the center of squares, to the ones hidden in corners and alleys, that refresh the walks of visitors during their journey in Lucca.
In roman times, Lucca was perhaps served by an underground aqueduct that supplied the rich domus and its citizens loved to soak in the spa, visible under the Church of S. Giovanni.
After the fall of the roman emperor, the city had his troubles with the water and was in danger of being overwhelmed by the flood of the river, fortunately stopped by the miracle of S.Frediano, which diverted its course by tracing a furrow with a rake; according to tradition, was Frediano, an irish monk, who saved the city. Since then, Lucca drew water for centuries from wells, often in the middle of the medieval courtyards. In 18th century, when through Europe was spreading the Enlightenment and in the cities were builded bright squares, wide avenues and monumental fountains, also in Lucca was planned to build a acqueduct that unfortunately was never built.
Later in 1822, Maria Luisa di Borbone, Duchess of Lucca, decided it was time to give Lucca the infrastructures to appear like an european capital.
Lorenzo Nottolini, the most important architect of the time, author of the restoration of Anfieteatro Square, realized a monumental aqueduct inspired to the roman one, with 460 arches to bring water to the city from the small village of Guamo. The initial project was to let the aqueduct arrive to the city through the bulwark “S. Colombano” but later, the architect decided to preserve the integrity of the Walls, true symbol of Lucca. The arches now stop at “S. Concordio”, channeling the water into a cistern, that outside seems an elegant, doric-styled temple; from here, an ingenious system of pipes, pass under S. Colombano and carries water to the city. Today Nottolini’s masterpiece abandoned its original purpose but it’s a beautiful monument that Tuscany Ride a Bike aims to find out with a nice walk trough the woods of the plain of Lucca, following back the path of the water from S. Concordio to Guamo, where there is a magical place; that site is called "The Golden Words", cause of an inscription in brass on the aqueduct, mistaken for gold by residents. This is a wonderful place where hydraulic masterpieces blend with nature: cisterns, channels and a circular temple, mixed with wild nature. The perfect place for a picnic or romantic walks......in short, you will love it! <3
In roman times, Lucca was perhaps served by an underground aqueduct that supplied the rich domus and its citizens loved to soak in the spa, visible under the Church of S. Giovanni.
After the fall of the roman emperor, the city had his troubles with the water and was in danger of being overwhelmed by the flood of the river, fortunately stopped by the miracle of S.Frediano, which diverted its course by tracing a furrow with a rake; according to tradition, was Frediano, an irish monk, who saved the city. Since then, Lucca drew water for centuries from wells, often in the middle of the medieval courtyards. In 18th century, when through Europe was spreading the Enlightenment and in the cities were builded bright squares, wide avenues and monumental fountains, also in Lucca was planned to build a acqueduct that unfortunately was never built.
Later in 1822, Maria Luisa di Borbone, Duchess of Lucca, decided it was time to give Lucca the infrastructures to appear like an european capital.
Lorenzo Nottolini, the most important architect of the time, author of the restoration of Anfieteatro Square, realized a monumental aqueduct inspired to the roman one, with 460 arches to bring water to the city from the small village of Guamo. The initial project was to let the aqueduct arrive to the city through the bulwark “S. Colombano” but later, the architect decided to preserve the integrity of the Walls, true symbol of Lucca. The arches now stop at “S. Concordio”, channeling the water into a cistern, that outside seems an elegant, doric-styled temple; from here, an ingenious system of pipes, pass under S. Colombano and carries water to the city. Today Nottolini’s masterpiece abandoned its original purpose but it’s a beautiful monument that Tuscany Ride a Bike aims to find out with a nice walk trough the woods of the plain of Lucca, following back the path of the water from S. Concordio to Guamo, where there is a magical place; that site is called "The Golden Words", cause of an inscription in brass on the aqueduct, mistaken for gold by residents. This is a wonderful place where hydraulic masterpieces blend with nature: cisterns, channels and a circular temple, mixed with wild nature. The perfect place for a picnic or romantic walks......in short, you will love it! <3
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