Lucca sees rise in foreign ER patients and uncovers Roman mural

The emergency department of Lucca's hospital has recorded a steady increase in visits by foreign tourists. Director Francesco Puggelli noted, "Stiamo registrando numeri molto significativi" and added that the influx of EU patients brings reimbursed revenue, while non‑EU visitors pay directly. In the first half of 2026, emergency services generated about €267,676, projected to exceed €535,000 for the full year, allowing the hospital to expand staff and equipment.

During road works on Via Duomo, archaeologists uncovered a well‑preserved Roman wall painting, described as "una pittura murale romana, giunta fino a oggi in uno stato di conservazione particolarmente significativo". The find, overseen by the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggi, offers new insight into Lucca's Roman and late‑antique urban layout and will be further studied to determine its subject and date.