New trees for the park

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Last year a mini tornado ripped through some of the villages of Bagni di Lucca. Some lovely old trees were destroyed in the the park in La Villa.

New trees have been planted in time for spring growth. Several Magnolia Grandiflora are in place.

The existing trees are looking good.

The magnolias have almost finished flowering and the leaves are beginning to appear.

Luckily, the little tower and the fountain were not damaged.

The children’s playground is well used. The weather has been lovely and it is great to see children out and about.

The grass needs cutting, but I love to see the tiny daisies growing everywhere.

Well done! I don’t know who is responsible, but it is excellent to see that the park is being taken care of.

The pansies are planted

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Between rain showers I planted the pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio.

It is raining heavily today…I hope the poor little things don’t drown.

I chose the smaller flowers this year as they put on a great show last year. Here is a reminder of what they will look like soon if the weather cooperates.

I Caduti

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Most of the villages in Bagni di Lucca have monuments to fallen soldiers from WWI and WWII.

Ponte a Serraglio is no exception.

I think the statue is very stylish. It looks a bit Art Deco to me. What do you think?

Then and now…the church at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

The church at Ponte a Serraglio was built in 1544. It has been remodelled a few times.

Here it is in 1910.

…and 1922.

…and after the last restoration.

Here it is now.

The interior is quite pretty.

The church is very well kept by a group of volunteers and is often adorned with flowers…poke your head in if you are nearby. It is a short walk from the bridge on the opposite side of the river from the piazza.

A dark time in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

During WWII the Hotel Terme in Bagni Caldi was chosen by the Interior Minister of the Fascist R.S.I (Italian Social Republic) as the district concentration camp.

Between December 1943 and January 1944 more than 100 Jews were interned in the camp.

The larger group was composed of almost 60 foreign Jews, sent to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana during the second half of 1941 in “free internment”.

A small group of foreign Jews, who were already free in BdL, and about 30 Italian Jews arrested in other places in the district joined them.

On 23rd January 1944 the interned Jews were transported from Bagni di Lucca to Florence, then to Milan. On 30th January they were sent to Auschwitz.

Only 5 out of more than 100 Jews from Bagni di Lucca survived deportation.

The information came from researchgate.net.

Bagni di Lucca in 2015

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

It has been an eventful year in Bagni di Lucca. It is interesting to look back.

Click the highlighted words to see the original post.

There was a tornado early in the year which caused lots of damage. Our lovely park in La Villa was devastated, with wonderful old trees wrecked by the wind.

Many houses suffered with damaged roofs and other property damage. I hope we don’t see a weather event like that again.

Late winter is the time to plant pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio.

You can see some green appearing around Lucchio in early spring.

Gorgeous yellow forsythia appears to brighten up the cool days.

Then wisteria shows its lovely lilac face.

The beautiful house where the Barrett Brownings stayed in La Villa was lovingly restored.

Circolo dei Forestieri reopened and began serving delicious food…lucky us.

Soon on it was time to replace the pansies with geraniums. This year I had help in the form of Paul and Sheila.

In May there was much excitement, and some new roads, when the Giro d’Italia came through Bagni di Lucca.

Not long after the magnificent Mille Miglia graced our streets.

May was also the perfect time for a lunch at Rifugio Fiori in Pieve di Monte di Villa, followed by a walk down to Ponte a Serraglio along the forest walk.

…and a stroll through Monti di Villa.

There was an art gallery showing.

…and a religious procession.

The annual crossbow competition took place in June.

Followed by Art in the Park at Villa Fiori.

A a swim in the cool waters of the Lima River is the thing to do on a hot summer day.

For those wanting a bit of adventure the exciting Canyon Park opened.

Ponte a Serraglio looks pretty in the summer sun.

Trattoria Borghesi reopened its doors to the delight of the locals and visitors alike.

Giuliana opened her new shop in Fornoli.

Pinocchio visited La Villa with some fun for children.

I discovered the monument to the soldiers shot by Nazis in WWII in the cemetery at Ponte a Serraglio.

Autumn began to appear with mists swirling through the mountains.

Paul Davies shared his beautiful photos of San Cassiano in autumn with us.

…and 3 local photographers, including David Bonaventuri shared the Presepe Vivente in Monti di Villa.

The year has flown by…there is always something wonderful to see and do in Bagni di Lucca. I look forward to much more in 2016.

Two Ponte ladies

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

There are two sculptures in the church yard at Ponte a Serraglio. They are in the garden beside the road, tucked quietly under trees.

I wonder if anyone notices them.

Presepe Vivente

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The Presepe Vivente, or Living Nativity was held this year in Monti di Villa. The whole village is involved and the residents all take their parts. Everyone dresses up and takes on a role from times past.

3 local photographers were on hand to record the wonderful event…a working peace of art and heritage.

David Bonaventuri is from Montefegstesi. Here are his terrific photos. I particularly love his portraits of the fabulous faces.