Same view, late afternoon.
Tuesday photo
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Category Archives: The villages of Bagni di Lucca
Monday photo
I’m going to post a single photo each day for the next week. Here is Monday’s photo…early morning at Ponte a Serraglio.
Autumn in the park
Parco Contessa Casalini in La Villa is looking beautiful in the soft autumn light.
It was badly damaged in a recent storm, but is recovering nicely.
Autumn arrives
Cool weather and misty mornings and golden light have arrived in Bagni di Lucca.
Autumn is a beautiful season. I love the cool mornings and evenings. Soon the leaves will fall.
A wooden horse
The wooden horse and rider in the museum at San Cassiano is not just any horse. The sculpture has been attributed to Jacopo della Quercia. He was an early Renaissance artist from Querciagrossa, near Siena. He became a resident of Lucca when his family moved there.
He was in the contest to design the Doors of Paradise at the Baptistery in Florence, but lost out to Ghiberto. One of his most famous works is the exquisite sarcophagus of Ilaria in the cathedral in Lucca.
On a recent trip to San Cassiano I was delighted to find the museum open. It is housed in the Oratory opposite the church.
Up close the wooden carving is beautiful. In 1909 it was found in a state of considerable neglect. It was restored in the 1920s and again in the early 1990s.
The sculpture is made up of 3 elements of linden wood. 2 elements make up most of the horse, while the bust of the saint is carved from a single block of wood.
Behind the horse are 2 other carvings. Both are carved from a single block of poplar wood, with the exception of some parts of the hands and the head. On the left of the altar is Archangel Gabriel and on the right The Virgin of the Annunciation.
The church was open on the day I visited as well.
The interior is stunning. It looks ancient.
The floor has been worn down by centuries of feet.
The villages of Bagni di Lucca are a treasure trove for those who go looking.
Campiglia Alta
Campiglia Alta is another area of Bagni di Lucca I was unaware of until recently. The turnoff is on the road from La Villa to San Cassiano.
It is really just a collection of houses in a gorgeous setting.
A peaceful tree lined road takes you up the mountain.
I was there in late spring. Everything was bright green.
The views are fabulous and the silence is wonderful.
…a special place to live.
In the shade
I wish I was in Bagni di Lucca right now to see the excellent umbrella installation in the main street of La Villa.
I have gathered some great photos taken by those who are there to share the colourful display. Thank you Liz and Alan, Sheila and Marco Pistolozzi. (If I missed anyone, please let me know)
Top marks to those who organised the event.
The mayor was on hand to initiate the celebrations.
A day for children at San Cassiano
The lucky children of San Cassiano and nearby had a great day at the Campo Sportivo. Lucky for us photographer Paul Davies was on hand to take photos.
Congratulations to the organisers…it was a fun day for all concerned.
Goats out walking
I spotted a herd of goats out with their dogs and owner walking on the hill beside San Cassiano.
I hope these scenes continue to be part of life in Bagni di Lucca.
Dirty rotten scoundrels
The beautiful Lima River runs through the middle of Bagni di Lucca. The water is clear and cold and home to trout and water birds. Lately it is also home to water sports, rafting, canoeing, canyoning as well as the usual swimming and fishing. These activities bring lots of visitors to Bagni di Lucca.
Local photographer Paolo Roverani took this gorgeous photo recently.
On Monday this is what the same scene looked like.
Somebody has been dumping filth into the river, usually on a Monday. The police have been notified but there are no results yet. How anyone could do this is beyond me, there must be alternative! This is just lazy and irresponsible.
Sombody must know who is doing this…step forward and rat on them. The river will thank you.
Click here to see some of the activities on the river.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 