Study Abroad in Tuscany: Elba Island and Lucca ...

Tuscany has long been a prime destination in Italy, and while Florence and Pisa are well known to many Americans, the area has much more to offer adventurous students. There may be no finer reflection of Tuscany's balance of ancient and modern civilization and bountiful landscapes than the towns of Lucca, on the mainland, and Rio Marina on the Island of Elba. Best known for being the place of Napoleon Bonaparte's exile, Elba is an island off of the Tuscan coast, the largest island in the Tuscan archipelago and the third-largest it Italy. Lucca is a modern metropolitan wrapped around an ancient, Roman-walled city, and it is located about 30 minutes from Pisa and the Mediterranean Coast. It is located an hour from Florence, nestled between the Apennines, the Tyrrhenian coast and the hills of Pisa.

Much of the charm of both Lucca and Elba Island stems from their ancient architecture, villages and historic structures, not to mention the pristine Tyrrhenian waters, lush forests, rolling mountains and picturesque beaches. Both areas place great emphasis on the conservation of natural splendor, as well as on the preservation of reminders of days gone by - making them perfect study locations for historians, architects and environmentalists, as well as anyone who appreciates culture and beauty.

Students who wish to take intensive Italian language and culture courses can study through Koinè, a school that is made up of an association of teachers of Italian as a foreign language. Programs there feature small class sizes and guided conversation, as well as art, cultural and gastronomic activities to encourage students to use the language in everyday Italian life.

Elba has a long history, and its prominence dates back to the Etruscans, for which the island's iron mines were an inexhaustible source of wealth as far back as the eighth Century BC. Elba is one big botanical garden rich in natural resources, flora and fauna. Students will be fascinated by the variety of butterflies, birds, fish and dolphins. Lucca, founded in 180 BC, and known as the "city of 100 churches," is surrounded by the same 16th century walls that have stood since the Romans. The "Renaissance Walls" are now a 2.5-mile monument on which one can walk and take in the sights of the town.

On Elba, the Koinè Center is in Rio Marina, a traditional Tuscan village with a square which opens onto the port and the marine horizon. The Center's program offerings in Lucca are located downtown between the Piazza dell' Anfiteatro, built where a Roman amphitheater once stood and which is now a busy square, and the Torre Guinigi, a palace and tree-topped tower.

The Romans, English, Germans, French and Spaniards have all left their mark on both Elba and Lucca. A Greek influence has infused Elba with many local legends that students can learn from the hospitable natives. Lucca's architecture is influenced by the Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance and medieval styles. The Church of San Michele in Lucca was built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles, and features art by Della Robbia, Fippino Lippi and Pietro Paolini.

Elba has its own architectural wonders, including military structures and fortresses from various periods of battle for the island. A notable structure is the Villa Di San Martino, the one-time residence of Napoleon during his exile on the island. The residence, along with another former Napoleon haunt, the Villa Dei Mulini, now functions as a museum. Important Napoleonic treasures are on display at the Church of the Reverenda Misericordia, including the Emperor's bronze death mask. Historical keepsakes and precious church plate and vestments are preserved in the Church of the SS Sacramento, which includes a shrine dedicated to the men of Elba who lost their lives in the 1915-18 war. The Linguella Archaeological Museum, in the Torre del Martello, at the entrance to the old Port, showcases finds made at the Archipelago's main archaeological sites.

In Lucca, students can visit the National Museum of Villa Guinigi, the home of Lucca's leading 15th Century family, and the Cathedral Museum to experience the art and culture of the region. The "Holy Face," located in the Cathedral of St. Martino, is a Lucca must-see for any student of Italian culture, as it is the symbol of Lucca and an essential piece of the region's history.

Students with a passion for music and theater can apply to the five-week summer program known as the Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca. There are courses for singers, instrumentalists, pianists, assistant conductors and stage technicians. Music is an institution in the region, and Lucca produced some of the most famous Italian composers. Lucca's Giacomo Puccini dominated the music scene for years, and other well-known composers from the town include Luigi Boccherini and Alfredo Catalani. Puccini's birthplace is now a museum, and the Puccini Festival, held in an open-air theater in nearby Torre del Lago, allows opera lovers to feel the inspiration of the surroundings Puccini chose to live in.

Italy has always been well-known for its Mediterranean cuisine and Elba and Lucca each boasts its own local specialties. Students in Elba won't want to miss the Porcini mushrooms, octopus cacciatore and the risotto. Those studying in Lucca can sample the Serchio eel, "alla frantoia" (a vegetable soup) and chicken "al mattone." The cuisines of Elba and Lucca enjoy a wide variety of local seafood.

Students will have an abundance of activities to choose from while out of the classroom. Those who wish to travel can visit cities such as Florence, Pisa, Milan and Venice, as well as cities in France and Switzerland. All are just a train-ride or short flight away. Of course, there is plenty to do without leaving either Elba or Lucca. Both locations offer a wealth of outdoor activities, including hiking, scuba diving, swimming, boating and diving. Students can rent inexpensive bicycles on which to tour the scenic towns. Those studying on Elba will want to check out the Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana, in Porto Azzuro, which is a small town with a piazza surrounded by shops, restaurants and cafés. Students in Lucca should visit the Via Fillungo for high-end shopping, or the botanical gardens for some peaceful relaxation.

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ONLINE RESOURCES
IIEPassport: http://www.iiepassport.org/
Elba Tourism Information: http://www.elba-online.com/
Lucca Municipality: http://www.comune.lucca.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/1/
Lucca Tourism Board: http://www.luccatourist.it/
More Lucca Information: http://www.luccaworld.com/

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