Lucca (population 90,000) is a city in Tuscany, central Italy, close to the Ligurian Sea[?].
Lucca was founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. It became prosperous through the silk trade. For almost 500 years, Lucca was an independent republic. In 1805 it was taken over by Napoleon who put his sister Elisa[?] in charge. After that it became a Bourbon duchy, then part of the Italian State.
Lucca is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini. The Casa di Puccini is open to the public. At nearby Torre del Lago[?] there is a Puccini opera festival every year in September. Puccini had a house there.
Attractions
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