The Botanical Garden of Lucca, between nature, history and legend
In the evocative setting of the magnificent city of Lucca, the Botanical Garden stands as an enchanting oasis of serenity, delicately suspended between the majestic ancient walls and the vibrant urban fabric of the city. Here, the branches of the trees reach towards the sky, like bridges between the earthly and celestial worlds, creating a magical and dreamy atmosphere. The Municipal Botanical Garden of Lucca is more than just a garden: it is a place where nature and history intertwine in a timeless embrace. In this unique setting, floral beauty and botanical richness come together to create a breathtaking panorama, where every step is a journey into the heart of nature and its wonder. Welcome to this corner of paradise, where plant life dances to the tranquil rhythm of the walled city of Lucca.
History of the Municipal Botanical Garden of Lucca
On 23 May 1820, Maria Luisa di Borbone, the noble Duchess of Lucca, embellished the city by signing the deed of donation of a precious strip of land, the Piaggia Romana, to the prestigious Royal Liceo, transforming it into an unparalleled scientific garden. The Botanical Garden of Lucca, born thus, has become over its 200 years of history an authentic beacon of education and research.
Its roots lie in the vegetal richness taken from the renowned Villa Reale di Marlia and other local public nurseries, subsequently enriched with seeds and plants from the surrounding botanical gardens. This green sanctuary has played a fundamental role in the conservation of rare species and threatened varieties, while investigating and celebrating the local ethnobotanical tradition, educating future generations through awareness and teaching programs.
The beauty of the Botanical Garden of Lucca
During the spring and summer months, its green and shady gardens transform into a vibrant stage for cultural events and musical concerts, welcoming the community with its timeless beauty. In its southern part, the Botanical Garden hosts an impressive arboretum, with centuries-old trees that defy time, including the famous Cedar of Lebanon, a living monument that was planted way back in 1822.
The collections of camellias and rhododendrons, elegant ambassadors of the Renaissance gardens of the sumptuous villas of Lucca, decorate the paths with their timeless beauty. La Montagnola, an enchanting oasis of tranquility, welcomes the spontaneous flora of the nearby mountains, offering nature lovers a unique and authentic experience.
In the northern part, the Botanical School, the treasure of exotic and native medicinal plants, and the “Cesare Bicchi” Museum, which houses precious herbaria, testify to the garden’s commitment to the field of research and education. Here is also one of the headquarters of the Regional Germplasm Bank, a sanctuary for the seeds of local varieties at risk of extinction, which guarantees the survival of our most precious agricultural resources.
Between the ancient greenhouses and the modern ones, an exotic and evocative world opens up, where plants from tropical and subtropical lands all over the globe find a home. The Botanical Garden of Lucca is dominated by the majestic presence of a spectacular Ginkgo biloba, whose leaves, in autumn, transform into a golden fire, creating a carpet of evocative beauty that enchants the eyes and soul of anyone with the privilege to admire him.
Finally, in its most intimate corner, we find a picturesque lake, adorned with dancing water lilies and dominated by a majestic bald cypress, which enchants the eyes of visitors with its autumn reflections, tinged with a warm rust colour. This body of water, silent and mysterious, has been a source of inspiration for stories and legends that have been handed down from generation to generation.
The Botanical Garden of Lucca and the legend of Lucida Mansi
All around this idyllic scenario is the Lucca legend of Lucida Mansi, a noblewoman who, eager to preserve eternal youth, undertook a risky pact with the devil. According to legend, at the end of the time established in the pact, the evil one visited Lucida Mansi’s home to claim her soul. The noblewoman, unable to escape her fate, was dragged in a fiery chariot through the streets of the city, while the inhabitants watched helplessly at the terrifying spectacle.
But the story didn’t stop there: the infernal chariot, driven by the devil himself, made a crucial stop right at the Garden lake. Here, Lucida Mansi was dragged into the abyss, disappearing into the dark waters of the lake. Since then, it is said that the waters of the lake are imbued with a sinister aura, an indelible reminder of the nefarious pact that was stipulated between the noblewoman and the devil.
Lucca Botanical Garden opening hours
21 March – 31 May
Monday – Friday 10.30am – 6.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 10.30am – 7.30pm
1 June – 31 July
Monday – Friday 10.30am – 7.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 10.30am – 8.30pm
August
Monday – Friday 10.30am – 7.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 10.30am – 8.00pm
1-20 September
Monday – Sunday 10.30am – 7.30pm
21-30 September
Monday – Sunday 10.30am – 6.30pm
1 October – 3 November
Monday – Sunday 10.30am – 5.30pm
(Times valid for 2024)
Ticket prices for the Municipal Botanical Garden of Lucca
Full ticket: 6 euros.
Reduced ticket: 4 euros for under 18s, over 65s, students, groups, residents of the Municipality of Lucca, etc.
Free ticket: children under 8 years old, disabled people, guides, school groups, scholars
