At the beginning of the 19th century Bagni di Lucca became a popular destination for large numbers of English people who liked to spend their summers here. Among others, the poets Shelley, Byron and the Barrett Brownings came to enjoy the spa town in the 1800s.
It was decided to build an Anglican church for the new arrivals. In 1839 Carlo Ludovico, Duke of Lucca, granted permission to build the “Palace of the English Nation” as it was called. The work was entrusted to Giuseppe Pardini, who made the building in the Anglicised neo classic design.
the front door to the church
the back of the building in spring
it needs a bit of work
one of the lovely windows
decoration under the windows
The building is no longer a church, but has been put to good use as a library and it also houses historical information.
Some of the lovely old chairs from the casino are kept here to help preserve them.
On Thursday evenings films are shown here.
Some of the old church is still visible.
The English Church is in La Villa behind the main street, Via Umberto1, on the way to the swimming pool, in the delightfully named Via Evangelina Whipple.
The library is open:-
Monday – Wednesday……… 9.00 – 13.00 / 15.00 – 18.00
Thursday……………………….. 15.00 – 19.00
Friday………………………………9.00 – 13.00 / 15.00 – 18.00
Saturday …………………………9.00 – 13.00
Say hello to Angela, the librarian if you drop in.
Sometimes Signore Cherubini is there as well. He can tell you lots about Bagni di Lucca.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
Beautiful photos! Loved the old church / library.
God Bless You!
Thank you. It is a beautiful old building.
Admired the building ,,interesting to see some of the chairs from the casino
I think it is great that the building is being used by the community.
Great post, especially the stunning magnolia photo. I’m sure it was quite big deal in its day to be allowed to build an anglican church, and of course it wasn’t allowed to look anything like an Italian church.
It’s a great building. I hope they do some work on it soon.
Oh Thank you for this-we will visit in June!! I am thrilled to have the schedule.
The library is lovely and there is some great historical stuff there as well. Signore Cherubini is one ofnthe men who wrote the excellent guide book for Bagni di Lucca. There is a new edition for sale.
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A very nice post with fine photos. Note: the building is only classical in its proportions – the decoration is thoroughly gothic.: see my post at http://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/italian-anglicanism/
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