There are underground passages in Lucca, located beneath the walls that encircle the historical centre of the city. While the walls above ground are an excellent example of modern fortification, the tunnels beneath were also created for similar defensive and military purposes between 1513 and 1650.
They offer a route of tunnels of 4.2 km; with rooms whose vaulted ceilings reach up to 12m height in some points. Used as an armoury, housing weapons, cannon balls and gunpowder, the tunnels allowed soldiers to emerge without leaving the bastion undefended.
During WWII they were used as air raid shelters. It is possible today to travel the tree-lined route, part of which is above the walls and part below, on foot or by bicycle, and discover the underground basements of some recently restored bastions.
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