The city of Lucca lies just a few miles northern from Pisa, along the river Serchio, where – according to archaeological studies – the Celts founded a village called Luk.
Etruscans and Romans civilised this area in the following centuries: thanks to the Romans Pisa becomes a colony in 180 B.C., and later on an independent town (i.e. a Municipium) in 90 B.C.
After the fall of the Roman empire and the Gothic invasion, the Longobards come to settle in this area, transforming it into an important Episcopal seat and building many churches.
The city soon becomes the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, it will keep this important position even under the reign of Charlemagne and inside the Italian Kingdom. Its political influence over Fiesole and Florence grows during the reign of Adalberto I during the 11th century.
The strong political and cultural development is constantly connected to the municipal identity, this attitude will convince the Emperor Henry II to grant Lucca the whole independence, reached in the first years of 11th century.
During the following centuries of the middle age Lucca reaches its political and economical climax, though always trying to keep peace amongst the different groups in the city.
Nevertheless neither the Podestà, nor the municipal assemblies can keep the control in the town, and so they are often substituted by different external Lords, belonging to two major families of Lucca: the Faggiuola and the Guinigi.
In 1316 the noble Castruccio Castracani seizes power in Lucca, chasing away Uguccione della Faggiola, leading the town towards a new prosperous time, though interfering with Florence.
A battle is therefore necessary: in 1325, by Altopascio, Lucca’s army defeats the Florentine one; this unexpected victory will not bring any favourable change in Tuscany itself, because of the weak government, owing to continuous quarrels inside the town.
In 1369 Lucca must buy its independence back from the Emperor Charles IV, at the cost of 100.000 golden florins.
From this moment until 1799 the city government will be separated between legislative and executive power, being the first one given to a special officer (called Gonfaloniere) and the second one to the public assembly.
During the Napoleonic period Lucca is ruled by Napoleon’s sister Elisa Baciocchi; with the following restoration, since 1815 the city is handed over to the Borbone family, to Carlo Lodovico di Borbone and Maria Luisa di Borbone.
In 1860, after a short time of sovereignty by the grand duke of Loren, the city finally joins the kingdom of Italy.