an everlasting relationship
For the people of Lucca who lived at the time when, in 1544, the construction of the new defences began, the sight of that large and high mass of earth covered with trees not only made them feel safer but convinced them that they would benefit from it. We have the effective synthesis of their reactions thanks to Francesco Bendinelli, who in 1546 recorded in his Chronicle: "... the first planting made a great impression in a short time, so much so that the whole population was very pleased with it, for the comfort of the enjoyment they took in walking through it as if it were their own Villa".
The trees planted on the Walls were mostly white poplars and had the function of compacting the 'terrato' or terreplain, i.e. the mighty earth embankment built to stop enemy cannon shots but, at the same time, represented a source of income for the Republic. They provided wood that was put up for sale at public auctions or was used to fuel the brick kilns, for the drawbridges and for the many needs of the Walls building site.
The Government, interested in this economic benefit, established by law the protection of poplars
with penalties for those who did not respect it.