Beginning Via Francigena: Lucca
Beginning the Journey: Arriving in Lucca
October 10, 2025
There’s a unspeakable magic that unfolds the moment you arrive in Lucca. Within its perfectly preserved Renaissance walls, time seems to soften — past and present blending into an endless series of pictures in slow motion. For many, it’s simply a beautiful Tuscan town. But for us, it was the threshold of something greater — the beginning of our pilgrimage on the Via Francigena, from Lucca to Siena.
The Via Francigena route from Lucca to Siena is one of the most beloved and scenic sections of this historic pilgrimage trail in Italy, offering a quintessential Tuscan experience through rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, and storybook medieval towns. The route covers roughly 115 to 136 kilometers (71 to 85 miles) and is typically completed in seven to eight walking days — each stage revealing its own rhythm of beauty and challenge.
We arrived with the same mix of anticipation and wonder that every pilgrim must feel before the first step of a long walk — grateful, nervous, and a little in awe. Walking through Lucca’s cobblestone streets and sunlit piazzas, we felt as though time had paused centuries ago, and we had finally arrived exactly where we were meant to be.
Lucca: A City of Faith and Fortitude
Lucca’s spirit reveals itself through two enduring symbols — the Volto Santo and its Renaissance walls.
At the heart of the city stands St. Martin’s Cathedral, home to the revered Volto Santo di Lucca — the “Holy Face.” According to legend, this ancient wooden crucifix was carved by Nicodemus, a witness to the Crucifixion, and miraculously arrived in Lucca by sea in the 8th century. To this day, pilgrims come from around the world to stand before its serene gaze, said to embody both the mystery of faith and the compassion of Christ.
Just beyond the cathedral, Lucca’s massive 16th-century walls encircle the city like protective arms. Once built for defense, they now offer a peaceful path — the Mura di Lucca — where locals stroll, cycle, and pause beneath rows of chestnut and plane trees. From above, you can see the red rooftops, bell towers, and gardens unfolding within, a testament to how this city holds its history not as a relic but as a living companion.
For us, these walls and the Volto Santo together spoke of something timeless: the strength to endure and the grace to open. They set the tone for what our own pilgrimage would ask of us — faith, resilience, and a willingness to be transformed.
The Inner Journey Begins
Every pilgrimage begins long before the first step. For me, it began in the quiet recognition that I was ready — ready to slow down, to listen, and to walk with intention. Standing before the Volto Santo in St. Martin’s Cathedral, I felt both small and deeply seen. There was no grand revelation, just a gentle awareness — that the sacred isn’t always found in distant places, but in the stillness we carry within.
As we stepped outside the cathedral and onto the Mura di Lucca, sunlight filtered through the trees, and the city stretched calmly below us. Locals cycled past, families strolled, and for a brief moment, we were no longer travelers but part of the rhythm of this living, breathing city. It felt symbolic — walking a circle before beginning our straight path ahead, as if Lucca was offering us one last hug before letting us go.
I realized then that the real pilgrimage was not only across Tuscany, but inward — a journey toward presence, gratitude, and grace. Each step ahead would be more than distance covered; it would be a sacred conversation between the outer world and the inner self.
Stay Tuned: The Path Ahead
Tomorrow, from Lucca’s ancient gates, we will follow the Via Francigena south toward Siena — a seven-day journey through olive groves, hilltop villages, and sacred paths that have witnessed countless pilgrims before us. Along the way, I’ll share reflections from each day: not just where we walked, but what we discovered about life, faith, and stillness in motion.
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through Italy’s heartlands or simply wish to pause and breathe in beauty, I invite you to follow along. Each post will be a window into the journey — both the outer landscapes and the inner terrain of the soul.
Related Reading from the WISE360 Blog
- What Does True Wealth Really Mean?
- Training for the Via Francigena: Best Long-Distance Hiking Trails in Northern Virginia
- One Step at a Time: How Small Steps Lead to Big Life and Financial Wins
For those who want to learn more about the pilgrimage itself, visit the official website:
👉 Via Francigena Official Website
