Lucca, part 2

Here are a few street scenes from around town:

In this photo, in the center, see that red building? 

That's the Guinigi Tower (Torre Guinigi), and it has trees growing out of the top!

There is a little viewing area on top of the tower, 

and the view of the city from there is spectacular!

Lucca, part 1

Lucca is best known for the medieval wall that completely encircles the old town. The wall is about 30' high and 100' thick. The top of the wall is now a park with a paved path, picnic table, and benches scattered around it. It's a great place to spend an afternoon!

(Note: Click to enlarge photos)

 The wall, with the old town to the right 

and the new town (out of sight) to the left

Gus conquering the wall!

Gus reading on top of the wall

 

The path that tops the wall

One of the streets that connects the old town and new 

More wall

One of the city gates, outside

Same gate, inside

The open gate, which can also be seen on the left side of the previous picture

Note the human-sized gate inset in the lower left!

Part of the fortifications

Orvieto, part 2

As Orvieto was built on top of a plateau, space was limited, so there are many narrow streets and tall buildings. These make for very picturesque photos, in my opinion!

Another view from our B&B  

 Brighter skies the next morning!

The north side of town, facing east

 View to the north

View to the west

Orvieto, part 1

We were in Orvieto just for ~24 hours. The day we arrived, it was overcast all afternoon and evening. The next morning dawned clear and beautiful!

Funicular ride up to the town

View from our room in our B&B

Similar view from just down the street

 This door was open, so we peeked inside

 Courtyard and pillars

 Lovely garden!

Duomo

First view of the colorful Duomo (cathedral)

Duomo

The streets are too narrow and the cathedral too large 

to get the whole facade in one photo!

Detail shot 

 More details

Looking straight up!

Foro Romano

After our visit to the Colosseum, our tour took us to the Forum and Palatine Hill.

Near the entrance

Ruins of Basilica Aemilia

In the background (columns), Temple of Castor and Pollux

To the left (in front of The Thinker), the Temple of Caesar, on the spot of his funeral pyre

Triumphal Arch of Septimus on the left

with the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele in the left background

Walking up the Via Sacra with the round Temple of Romulus on the left

Palatine Hill in the background

This is what the Temple of Romulus looks out on

Temple of Romulus

Can't remember what this is!

View back over the Forum with the Arch of Titus behind my right shoulder

View toward the Colosseum (far right) from Emperor Augustus' gardens

Augustus' gardens, recreated

 Floor from Augustus' palace

Some big, ruined place

I can't remember what the guide told us this was

Cool ruins