I still do not know what it was about the place. For the briefest of moments, I had even fantasized of one day retiring there. There was just some intangible quality that I could not put into words.
Maybe it’s worth looking back at why we had decided to visit in the first place. The historical center of Lucca is encircled by a large defensive wall. Unlike the fortification that surrounded San Gimignano, which was preserved as the defining feature of the town, in Lucca, it was transformed into a pedestrian promenade for walkers and cyclists, the Passeggiata delle Mura Urbane. This seamless blending of ancient structure with modern utility made the city feel more livable than others we had visited. The rampart also gave off the sense, at least subconsciously, of security and community; something many seek out in those places we want to call home.
