Larry’s foot and knee still had him down so did not wander out.
They stayed close to Piazza Napoleone.
Historic moment: September 5, 1944 – Lucca Liberation day. The soldiers of the Fifth Army, 92nd Infantry Division, called the Buffalo Soldiers, entered through Porta San Pietro and reached Piazza Napoleone. (Our windows looked down on this plaza.) Here they met the citizens of Lucca in celebration when, with the Allies close, the Germans had abandoned the city.
Because of this Lucca avoided the shelling and bombardments Unfortunately, the Nazis implemented their strategy of “aggressive retreat”. Wehrmacht snipers, hidden in bell towers outside the city walls, such as that of the Church of San Marco, in houses and in the football stadium, shot citizens celebrating the liberation or guarding the city gates. History is all around us in the old city.
During the day Joyce told Debbie about a special type of pastry (donut) that was popular in Lucca called Nelli. They looked like the Hawaiian malasadas which Debbie especially likes. They found the Nelli wagon on the Piazza Napoleone. One can see it from the kitchen window. They found Debbie there a lot staring out the window.
They first stop, St. Martin’s Cathedral for the day. Some kind of moment: It is a Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. Construction was begun in 1063. A legend as to why columns of the façade are different. The story says when they were going to decorate it, the people of Lucca announced a contest for the best column. Each artist made a column, but then the people of Lucca decided to take them all, without paying the artists and used all the columns.
The tower has only 212 steps up a staircase with a nice handle to grip in order to see great views of Lucca. Of course, you can’t see the views until you are able to stand up and stop gasping. Plus someone may have to help you pry your hand off the handrail.
The next stop was inside the church and the museum. As always amazing things to see. Shout out picture to son-in-laws, Daniel and Aaron, who hopefully will see the shout sometime in October.
When they arrived back home, Joyce purchased a Nelli for everyone and a chocolate cake. Talk about a sugar high. Nelli review …Fried a little bit too long, so Debbie has cut back on her time at the window.
I think you need to give the Nulli another chance…or even 2.
The cart is open all day and night from what we can tell. They may live in the cart