The annual Saint Zita flower festival is on from today, 23rd April until 27th April in Lucca.
The piazza in front of San Frediano church will be filled with floral displays and the Anfiteatro will have flowers on display and for sale by local nurseries.
Here are some photos from previous years. It is a lovely time to be in Lucca.
Spring has arrived and the trees are turning green.
I love the tiglio trees that form a green tunnel in summer on the roads leading to Bagni di Lucca. They are beginning to grow new spring leaves now.
Trees along the river are turning green.
Wisteria is flowering.
Wild flowers are popping up.
The poor pansies on the bridge have been ruined by the fierce wind.
The ones in the hanging baskets have fared better.
Spring is a wonderful time of the year!
Four times a year Bagni di Lucca has a second hand market, Soffitte in Strada in the piazza in front of Circolo dei Forestieri in Villa. You will find antique and second hand items as well as hand made products.
There are always treasures to be found.
Two delightful newcomers to Bagni di Lucca have given a wonderful gift to the community. David Gebhart and Frederick Rayner, the new owners of Villa Elena have donated a grand piano, which will now be housed in the casino, where everyone will have the chance to see and hear it.
The mayor was at the casino to accept the gift on behalf of the community.
There is a lovely story attached to the piano. David’s grandmother, Lula Ethel Aubrey, wanted David to learn to play the piano, so she paid for lessons for him from the age of 5 to 16.
She also knew he would like a piano of his own, so she paid a large deposit for a grand piano for him 40 years ago. Soon after making the down payment she passed away and David had to continue. He did so within 2 years.
David and Frederick had planned to keep their Dallas apartment and the piano was to be left there. A change of mind meant the apartment was sold, and, as they already had a piano in the new house, something had to be done with David’s piano.
They generously decided to donate it to their new community and the casino was chosen as the best place for it to be, where it could be enjoyed by everyone.
David and Frederick have also contributed to the community with the amazing restoration of Villa Elena, one of Bagni di Lucca’s grand houses. I’m sure it looks better now than it ever did. The work has taken a couple of years, providing work for many local trades people and local suppliers. They are a welcome addition to Bagni di Lucca.
Thank you David and Frederick.
I visited the delightful restaurant at the Agriturismo La Fratta in Fornoli for the first time recently. The setting is lovely. I look forward to going back during the day when we can sit outside. It will be a great warm weather venue. Right now is is very cosy indoors.
We arrived early so I was able to take photos before all the tables filled up.
The menu made me want to order everything on it.
My friend and I chose well. Every dish was delicious. All ingredients are sourced locally and the wine is their own production.
We met the charming chef, Nicola, when he came out to chat to guests.
The owners and hosts and our waiter all offered friendly service. It was an excellent evening.
We have driven past the sign on the road leading out of Fornoli, towards Garfagnana, for years, not knowing such a great restaurant was so close. The road up to Tenuta La Fratta is narrow and not well surfaced, but it is well worth the effort. I know we will be returning often.
Agriturismo Tenuta La Fratta
Open for aperitivo and dinner Thursday to Monday and Sunday lunch.
Phone and WhatsApp…348 2931199
Email…info@tenuta-lafratta.com
The Carrefour supermarket on the Brennero has changed ownership. It is now Famila Market.
I looked inside and it appears to be the same. I have no details about the reason for the change…any thoughts?
The road between Ponte a Serraglio and Fornoli is open! The repair happened amazingly quickly.
The walking bridge is open again too.
Well done to all involved in the repair.
The repair of the road in Ponte a Serraglio is moving along quickly.
I walked to a position opposite the road work to have a look. It is quite amazing how much work has been done already.
The new retaining wall is growing rapidly. It should not be too much longer before the road is open again.
Part of the footpath in Ponte a Serraglio has fallen into the river.
The footpath is now closed, along with the pedestrian bridge. The road between the Granaiola turnoff and the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio is also closed to traffic, but open to pedestrians.
This is obviously going to cause traffic problems. Let’s hope work, which should start soon, will not take too long.
On Saturday night the new incarnation of Circolo dei Forestieri welcomed its first patrons. The evening was a great success and lots of people attended.
The restaurant is in a beautiful setting.
Of course there was delicious food and wine to try.
Attendees had a great time and I’m sure they will all become regulars.
The menu looks excellent. My favourite, pasta fritta con crudo e stracchino, is there, along with lots of new things.
Battuta di Manzo su misticanza, hummus di carote arrosto, ravioli di farina di castagne ripieni di ricotta, guancia di manzo pure di patate e carotine all origami are just a few calling me.
I look forward to seeing and tasting in person when I return to Bagni di Lucca soon. I’m sure everyone in town will be delighted to see Circolo dei Forestieri continuing to be part of the community.
Thank you to the team for sharing the photos with us.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 