Record attendance, tourists and Lucca residents, at the info-point on the Walls, Castello di Porta San Donato which in the last week even surpassed the one in Piazzale Verdi, and in the month of June it has secured the beauty of 12 thousand accesses. “It was a winning choice – underlines the councilor for tourism Remo Santini -, even the latest data bear witness to it”. And the “prize” is the new line of merchandising dedicated to the Walls: the t-shirt, the hooded sweatshirt, the cup, pencil, water bottle, hat, fabric shopper. All at popular prices (the t-shirt, for example, at 15 euros).
The new line of merchandising for the Walls of Lucca was presented yesterday morning by the councilor for tourism Remo Santini, the sole director of Lucca Plus Roberto Di Grazia and the historian Roberta Martinelli. An absolute novelty in the history of the city, which aims to further enhance and promote the symbolic monument of the Lucca area throughout the world. It is a wide range of official gadgets, created by the municipal administration in collaboration with Lucca Plus, which will be immediately available to citizens and visitors at the info point in Piazzale Verdi and the info point Walls of Lucca Castello di San Donato.
The logo was designed by graphic designer Pierluigi Da Prato and represents the stands (green) around the bastion (red) that can symbolize a heart. Simple but impactful. Meanwhile the initial launch, at the Info Point on the Walls, which will be implemented with new objects of interest in the coming months, and also with new colors.
The Walls of Lucca, considered the largest and best preserved example of urban fortification in Europe, remain at the centre of the administrative action, which after the creation of the scientific committee, the opening of the permanent exhibition ‘Re-Knowing the Walls’, the reopening of two symbolic venues such as La casa del Boia and the Antico Caffè delle Mura, now aim at a decisive tourism marketing strategy centred precisely on the urban symbol par excellence.
“The promotional strategy of the city and its beauties continues with vigor – comments Councilor Remo Santini – through the innovative idea of a line of merchandising entirely dedicated to the monument that distinguishes and identifies us in the world. An initiative that we are sure will be appreciated by the people of Lucca and the many tourists who every day crowd our info points and will be able to return home with a beautiful memory of the days spent here”.
“The Walls are an international symbol,” added the sole director of Lucca Plus Roberto Di Grazia, “and this project, with the opening of a new bookshop by Lucca Plus, which already manages the reception at Castello San Donato, aims to enhance them further, in the wake of the excellent work that the municipal administration is carrying out. An added value for the many tourists who love and animate our territory every day and a great novelty for the city’s tourist offer.” Soon, the new line of branded objects will also be distributed in other tourist information points, and, perhaps, also through an online shop. “First and foremost, we want it to attract visitors here at Castello di Porta San Donato,” Di Grazia emphasized. “Any proceeds will go to the tourism sector.” Texts by Pacini Fazzi Editore and Quaderni Historica Lucense are available in the bookshop.
Laura Sartini
