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In the heart of Lucca’s historic centre stands an extraordinary example of industrial architecture, the city’s renowned tobacco factory. This was a site at which skilled, dextrous hands expertly crafted the Tuscan cigar for a century and a half, giving it the unique biconic shape it is recognised by the world over.Only by the nineteenth century had we begun to acknowledge and appreciate the types of craftsmanship that places such as these had fostered for decades.According to records, July 7th 1815 saw a number of tobacco factories set up within the walled city of Citadella.By the the first decade of the 20th century, 111 male and 1,400 female workers were directly employed at the factory, their effeciency aided by at least 45 specialised machines.During this period, the introduction of steam engines – which were installed alongside the pre-existing hydraulic ones – addressed the issue of the excessive amounts of energy used in the manufacturing process.Between the Twenties and Thirties, the layout of the entire manufacturing site had undergone a significant amount restoration and expansion, resulting most notably in the construction of a new building overlooking Piazzale Verdi. On the heels of this spurt of industrial growth, new machinery and a hydroelectric plant were installed (1933). During this time, the manufacturing workforce numbered over 3,000, tasked with processing over 2,000 tons of tobacco annually to produce trimmings, Tuscan cigars and cigarettes.Perhaps regrettably for locals and historians alike, who have long regarded this sprawling 14,000 square meter zone with a sense of romanticism and intrigue, it will soon be re-presented to the public with a renewed function: the former cigar factory will be re-purposed as a cultural center open to the public. (www.intoscana.it) )