Bagni di Lucca is on the edge of the Garfagnana. The area lies between the Apennine and Apuan Alps in the upper valley of the Serchio river. It is almost entirely mountainous and heavily wooded.
It is also dotted with pretty villages, which will take years to discover. I recently visited Pieve Fosciana. It is tiny, with a cluster of houses around the church of St John Battista, one of the most ancient in Garfagnana.
Come for a little walk through Pieve Fosciana…
There are lots of narrow cobble stone laneways and pretty gardens, the usual interesting doorways and building decorations.
I was impressed with this house in particular. The residents have gone to some trouble with the facade.
The main reason for my visit to Pieve Fosciana was to try restaurant Il Pozzo. IÂ have heard it is one of the best in Garfagnana.
They have an indoor dining area and a very big terrace. I was the first there for lunch, but it soon filled up, mostly with local workers. You know a restaurant is good when the locals arrive in number.
The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, local ingredients served in a traditional way, with a slightly modern twist.
I ordered the pasta with lobster.
Followed by guinea fowl with truffles…they were both excellent.
The service was very friendly and I could see that most of the other patrons were regulars. They also do a workmans’ lunch for a set price…I will try that next time.
If you can drag yourself away from the very good restaurants in Bagni di Lucca, try Il Pozzo, I’m sure you will like it.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
you travel with fearlessness and fortitude Ms BDL. It is appreciated:)
…all done in the name of research.
“…with fearlessness and fortitude..” I love that! and so true!!
The church and village pics where one thing, but then you topped it off with food … This is cruel punishment. 😉 … and the pasta/lobster dish captured my attention.
Exploring these lovely villages is fun, and a great lunch is a bonus.
You also captured my attention with that menu, especially the pasta/lobster dish. Love those tiny villages that are sprinkled throughout the area. I will add Il Pozzo to my restaurant list for this summer. Thank you.
You won’t be disappointed.
Looks great Debra. There are so many of these lovely restaurants in the area….you are very spoilt for choice.
We will never get bored.
Good advice, Debra! Thank you.
I’m sure you will like it.
September in Lucchio ….thought you might like this picture….we had such an amazing day here. Thanks for your blog it makes me feel like I am back in Italy when I read it. Vickie
Sent from my iPad
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Your photo didn’t come through, perhaps you could email it to me. I am currently in Brisbane and writing the blog helps me to remember my time in Italy too.
Oh my goodness, Debra…this brought tears to my eyes…this is the village where my maternal grandfather was born, Giovanni Bertolini. I cannot wait to visit in May with you and we absolutely must dine at Il Pozzo! Grazie mille…
Looks like another must do for me when I return. Interesting that the menu is in English. The food sounds wonderful
I clearly looked like a foreigner. I actually prefer the menus in Italian as the translations are often a little strange.
I would like to be there right now- looking forwad to your workman’s lunch too.
I will definitely try that next time.
A definite – food and position look fabulous – looks a great find – can’t wait for June
That’s a beautiful village – one of many to discover. The restaurant and menu look very good indeed. I think this village will now be on a lot of ‘must visit’ lists.
What a charming little village. Love the menu, what delicious sounding food at what sounds like reasonable prices.
Great capture of your sweet day!
At Pieve Fosciana, they also manufactured artistic dried flower arrangements and most of them are exported.
O yes, I love it when you see the overalls coming in for lunch! Even from the outside this sort of place figures in my what I miss most about Italy list, absolutely. The rest of the village looks just as appealing. I love those embedded walls.