This beautiful bridge is on the road to Fabbriche di Vergemoli from Bagni di Lucca. It leads to an old mill.
It was built in the 1400s and restored in 2011.
It crosses a narrow stream.
There are signs up indicating that it is now a centre for outdoor activities, but it seems to be closed now,
It is worth a short stop to cross the bridge and look around…when we can move around more freely. There are many treasures in our area.
I had an appointment recently in Borgo a Mozzano and had a bit of time to spare so I walked to the Ponte della Maddalena or Devil’s Bridge as it is commonly known. We can’t drive past the bridge on the usual route to Bagni di Lucca right now because of road damage in 2 places.
I walked to the top of the bridge to see the spectacle views from up there.
I could also see the huge landslide that has closed the road near the bridge completely. Work is progressing to clear it.
If you look closely at the photo below you can see a digger of some kind working on the slope. I hope it is secured in some way. There were also 2 men walking near the top of the landslide…dangerous work indeed.
It looks as though it might be a while before the road is open.
Ann Barsi is working on a new edition of the 2012 edition of Pieve di Controne, a book by Elio Carlotti on the history of the village. The 2012 edition, which was actually the second print, sold almost all 500 copies. The book sale proceeds help the Pieve parish and those looking for their Pieve roots.
This edition would like to include more family pages, so anyone with a story to tell is encouraged to take a page in the book. It helps to make the book more personal with individual stories of the village and interesting tales of descendants’ lives, past and present.The Family Page could be your own family story, a family tree, photos and stories of life in the village.
Here are some examples of family pages.
You can help in 3 ways, pre-order the book, buy a Family Page or donate any amount.The books will cost €25 and a Family Page is €150.
For more information please contact Ann Barsi…abarsi@verizon.net
Today was glorious in Bagni di Lucca. I went for a walk from Ponte a Serraglio to Fornoli to make the most of the warm sunshine.
I think we will have rain again tomorrow…all the more reason to get out and enjoy the winter sun when it shines.
Dolce e Salata, a new shop selling bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and other goodies has opened in Via Umberto I in La Villa. It is where there was a small bread shop a while ago.
The friendly owner, Titti, was kept busy this morning and was running low on a few things when I arrived. There was queue when I arrived and it was growing longer as I left.
A new opening is great news for Bagni di Lucca. I wish the shop success and hope it is well supported.
Opening hours…
Monday – Friday…6.00 – 15.00
Saturday… 7.00 – 13.00
Sunday Closed.
Sunday was fine with some sun so I went for a walk up to La Villa and spotted a fountain I have never seen before. It is on the edge of the SS Brennero near the Ponte Nuovo.
I think it is stunning and would love to know more about it. Perhaps somebody out there knows.
La Villa looked lovely in the afternoon sun.
Some more sunny days would be nice.
I returned from an overnight trip to find the Lima River turned into a raging torrent. Heavy rainfall and melting snow have sent huge amounts of water down the river. The level of the water went from about 1.5metres to 4.7 last night. It has dropped a bit today but it is still rushing past my window carrying logs and other debris with it.
…further down river.
I hope the high water doesn’t cause damage.
I awoke to snow falling at Ponte a Serraglio. It started slowly and it looked as though it would melt before it hit the ground, but it gradually became heavier and began to turn everything white.
Ponte 
By the late afternoon the snow was mostly gone, but it was lovely while it lasted.
Lately we have had snow in the higher villages in Bagni di Lucca. Along the Lima River it has mostly been raining. In a brief sunny time I drove up towards Montefegatesi to see some snow. It had melted in the village but the mountains around it looked gorgeous. The blue sky made a beautiful backdrop. In fact I think it was the star of the show today.
I drove through heavy fog on the way up. From above you can see it settled in the valleys.
Bare trees look wonderful.
Montefatesi always looks spectacular from any angle.
We have had some sun by the river. It doesn’t last long, but it is most welcome when it appears. Time to go for a walk or just to enjoy being outside.
It has been an interesting year, one which most of us will be happy to say goodbye to.
I wish you all a Happy New Year with health and happiness.
For 4 days we get to sit down to enjoy a coffee! I did just that this morning at Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio. It is difficult to choose which pastry to have.
Annalisa makes excellent panettone. They are beautifully packaged and will make great Christmas gifts.
After 4 days we go back to red and back to takeaway coffee.
