Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: festival

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. Walking through the rain to the hotel I saw, that July would be a perfect month to visit Lucca.

Only a few hundred meters west from the "Abbaye aux Dames", on the banks of the Charente river, stands - since 18 aC, when Saintes was known as "Mediolanum Santonum" - the "Arch of Germanicus". Approaching the arch, I heard a great sound. Like many other French towns Saintes has a festival during the summer months. It is named "Les Oreilles en éventail" and this afternoon "La Fanfare A la Gueule du Ch'vaL" performed all around the ancient arch. Great rhythm for a summer afternoon... They do not only have a website: alagueuleduchval.fr/ You can even listen to them on youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWKIH0lRIwM