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From the 13th century onwards the Guinigi family, who were rich merchants and a leading family of the town, concentrated their mansions between via Sant'Andrea and via Guinigi, which has preserved its medieval appearance practically intact.

Goethe once observed, “Tuscany looks like Italy should [look]." The Cruise Ship Crystal Serenity, on which I was serving as a guest lecturer, docked in Livorno, the 15th century sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast of Italy. Livorno is the gateway to Italy's Tuscan region and to many spectacular sights; including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the overwhelming prize of all, the timeless city of Florence. There is also the lovely town of San Gimignano, abounding in medieval towers, which was featured in a photo by my good friend, Hakan Delic. On this particular stopover in Livorno, I decided to journey to the charming medieval town of Lucca. During the late Medieval and Early Renaissance days the Guinici family represented one of the most important families of Lucca. Paolo Guinigi, who ruled the town during the first half of the XV century, commissioned the construction of Case (House of) Guinigi, comprised of a group of mansions and towers, creating an unusually beautiful example of Medieval architecture. Construction on the Guinigi Tower seen in the photograph, commenced in 1384, and it is the only one of the four original towers to have survived. Rising to 44.25 m (145 ft), the tower offers a majestic view of the city. At the top of the 14-story tower is a hanging garden, featuring seven ‘holm oaks.’

The Case Guinigi and the Guinigi Tower represent a marvellous example of Medieaval architecture in Lucca. The Case Guinigi were a group of mansions and towers where one of the most important families of the town, the Guinigi, lived. Paolo Guinigi ruled the town during the first half of the XV century. Today only one of the four original towers still survives and it may be visited. It is 44.25 m high and was made with brick, sandstone from Matraia and Verrucano from the Monti Pisani. It was started in 1384. From the top of the tower, where seven holm-oaks grow, a wonderful view of the town and the countryside may be enjoyed.

The loggia and the porch on the ground floor of the tower have been closed, as have the stone arcades which characterized the mansions. Fine mullioned windows are visible in the upper level of these buildings.  

A typical example of Romanesque-Gothic Lucca architecture, the compact group of buildings also expanded rapidly into the neighbouring streets.

The Torre Guinigi rises above via Sant'Andrea, crowned by holm oaks to symbolise rebirth. It was added by the family in the late 1300s, with the aim of giving a refined look one of the houses, in a period when numerous bell-towers were going up within the walls of Lucca, as were the towers, an emblem of prestige of the richest families.

The Tower was built in brick; its imposing bulk was lightened by mullioned three-light and four-light windows and decorated by coats of arms, cornices and plaques. Since then it has been one of the symbols of the town.

Today the Tower is owned by the Lucca town council and is a place not to be missed in the town: going up it is a must, and its top is one of the most fascinating points to stand in the shade of the holm oaks, admiring Lucca's little architectural jewels from above.

TORRE GUINIGI  Tower Guinigi
Via Sant'Andrea, 45, 55100 Lucca LU

Reviews of Tower Guinigi communities

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187898-d195553-Reviews-Guinigi_Tower-Lucca_Province_of_Lucca_Tuscany.html

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Italy/Tuscany/Lucca-149133/Things_To_Do-Lucca-Tower_Guinigi-BR-1.html 

Useful links external travel guides and tips about Tower Guinigi and Lucca

http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/allthingstuscany/aroundtuscany/torre-guinigi-lucca/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinigi_Tower

http://www.italyguides.it/us/italy/tuscany/lucca/tower/torre-guinigi.htm

http://www.welcometuscany.it/tuscany/lucca/lucca.htm

http://atlasobscura.com/place/torre-guinigi-guinigi-tower

Lucca Pictures The Italian city of Lucca seen from the Guinigi Tower
http://goitaly.about.com/od/italypictures/ig/lucca-pictures-guinigi-tower/

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/34220108

http://www.pbase.com/jameshsu/tower_guinigi&page=all

http://www.holidayhomestuscany.com/tuscany-holidays-lucca-the-guinigi-tower.html

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Italy/Tuscany/Lucca-149133/Tourist_Traps-Lucca-TG-C-1.html

http://finninlucca.blogspot.com/2011/06/guinigi-tower-190611.html

http://maps.google.it/ma ps/place?hl=en&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=856&ion=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=torre+guinigi+lucca&fb=1&gl=it&hq=torre+guinigi&hnear=0x12d5836c73d6a2d9:0x4082c90e3e59990,Lucca&cid=13051949383747491374