A walk in Monti di Villa

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring is the perfect time to visit the villages of Bagni di Lucca. I had only been to Monti di Villa once, so I thought it was time to go back. This is Monti di Villa from Granaiola…right in the middle of the photo.

Come for a walk with me through Monti di Villa. There is a car park at the base of the village and an easy path up.

There are some pretty gardens to admire.

Spring flowers were in full bloom.

I loved the garden decorations.

The old doors always fascinate me.

There are some amazing views from Monti di Villa, even on a hazy day.

On a warm spring afternoon it is easy to fall asleep after lunch.

I walked along the ridge which is the highest part of Monti di Villa. From here you can look back across the village.

I met a friendly local who showed me a lovely green path.

She also pointed me in the direction of a lower path back to the car park. It was lined with wild flowers and covered by an oak canopy…what a gorgeous place to walk.

…and another place to admire the view.

Monti di Villa…one of the lovely villages that make up Bagni di Lucca.

Lunch and a spring walk from Rifugio Fiori

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

A while ago guest poster Belinda took us on a walk from Ponte a Serraglio to Pieve di Monti di Villa to lunch at Rifugio Fiori.

I’m not much interested in walking up steep hills, so I decided to do it in reverse. Three of us got a lift up to Pieve di Monti di Villa to the lunch spot. It was a gorgeous day, so we happily sat outside.

…just as well, it was crowded inside.

We ordered the mixed grill…very good….and the torta della Nonna.

We were advised to take the gentle track down to Ponte a Serraglio. We headed off up the road a bit and took the road down to the church. It is always good to walk through Pieve di Monti di Villa.

Beside the church we found the track towards Ponte a Serraglio.

It was a bit overgrown, but not too bad.

In many places there was a rock path lined with wild flowers and gorgeous spring flowering trees.

We passed some old gates. There must have been a sizeable house here once.

We also passed some dry stone walls, no doubt part of the same property.

We walked under a gorgeous oak tree.

We passed a stream and a little waterfall.

Some of the time we walked on the road because the path was too overgrown, but that was good too.

Soon we came to the crossroad where the road goes to Riolo.

We passed the overgrown church.

We wandered down past the old chairlift. I would love to see this operating.

Lots of people were enjoying themselves at Villagio Globale.

Just before we reached the river we passed a wall of wildflowers.

Finally we arrived at Ponte. If you want to do the uphill walk, look for this sign opposite the walking bridge.

If you are looking for a great walk, this could be the one for you. You walk under the cover of the forest most of the way, so it is not too hot. The downhill walk is easy and the views are gorgeous.

Click here to see the winter walk.

Hanging pots for Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Our little garden group at Ponte a Serraglio has purchased 10 new hanging pots for the lamp posts along the street beside the river. We have planted petunias. I hope they do well.

We are always interested in help to water the plants on the bridge and now in the hanging pots. I am not here in summer, so it is up to others to keep the plants alive and thriving…and Ponte a Serraglio looking beautiful.

If you walk past and see them looking droopy, grab a bottle and give them some water. We are working on having a a tap beside the bridge. I will let you know about that one.

The pots we planted at Villa Fiori are doing well. I replaced the stolen lavender and it will soon catch up to its mates.

Goodbye pansies, hello geraniums

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The pansies on the bridge in front of my apartment at Ponte a Serraglio this year have put on a fabulous show. We have had little rain or wind since they were planted and they have thrived.

They were still looking great, but they won’t last through the summer and it is now time to plant the geraniums.

This year I have had help to plant the flowers on the bridge. It has been great. There are lots of pots and dragging the bags of soil, carrying the plants and digging up the old ones takes time, so having 2 helpers made a big difference. Thank you Paul and Sheila.

Paul also cleaned out and replanted the large pots beside Villa Fiori. (Somebody pinched one of the lavender plants almost immediately, which is a bit disappointing).

We are now thinking of buying some new hanging pots for the lampposts along the river and planting more geraniums. There is a reasonable amount of expense involved in this, so if anyone would like to contribute it would be appreciated. Please email me at debrakolkka@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.

Almost spring in Lucchio

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring is a bit late coming this year and this has not been helped by the icy blast of wind blowing from the Alps.

But the trees are beginning to turn green…you can see a tinge of green on the trees framing lovely Lucchio.

Wild flowers are appearing and potted plants and fruit blossoms are springing to life.

There is always a friendly cat looking for a sunny spot in the mountain villages.

There is still snow on the higher mountains, making for some spectacular views.

The little bar in the piazza near the car park is thriving. After the death of the previous owner there was a danger the bar would close, but fortunately new people have taken over and are doing a great job…meet Franco.

As well as bar snacks and delicious sweets, there are great meals being served on weekends by Franco and his family. In summer the bar will be open more often and tables will spill out onto the terrace.

There are some excellent bargains in Lucchio for anyone looking for a house to buy.

It would be a great way to have a base in Italy without having to spend a lot of money. The village becomes quite lively in the summer months when ex Lucchio residents return to open their houses and enjoy gorgeous views and fresh mountain air.

Don’t go there!

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Road works are being carried out between Ponte a Serraglio and La Villa. Old water pipes are being replaced…a necessary thing.

We have a multitude of signs in the piazza at Ponte a Serraglio to let us know where we can go. The road has been reduced to one way, going towards La Villa.

At some times the road is blocked completely.

The other night, a car coming from La Villa ignored the sign and drove through. By the time he got to Ponte there was a line of cars in his way. There was nothing for him to do but reverse all the way to La Villa.

You have to laugh.

You also have to feel for the road workers who have to cope with the coming and going of cars, people and dogs.

All of a sudden it seemed to be over and all the men and equipment left.

…I am expecting a return.

Brought back to life

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

A famous residence in La Villa has been lovingly brought back to life. The house is famous because it was the summer home for English poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning in 1853 and 1857.

It has been in a sad state of repair for several years, but fortunately someone has bought it and has set about restoring it. The scaffolding was recently removed from the front of the house to reveal a very beautiful facade.

The work is being overseen by local architect Franceso Rondina and the Art Nouveau decorating has been done by local artist Belinda Pieroni.

Work continues on the rest of the house. Some of the cement has been removed near one of the side windows revealing a different style of design underneath. I look forward to seeing what happens there.

Peering through the gate we could see a lovely old garden wall. I’m sure that will live again too.

Congratulations to all concerned. The house will be much admired by everyone who sees it and will be a happy addition to Bagni di Lucca.

Here are a couple of old photos of the house.

They show just what a great job has been done to bring the house back to the way it was.

Ghostly Granaiola

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring will soon be here and that will be great…but I do like the winter landscapes, especially the lovely mists that swirl in and around the mountains.

I don’t have to go far to see the misty views. From my balcony, or from the bridge below, Granaiola puts on a fine show on winter mornings.

It is raining now, which is good for my flowers. So far we haven’t had the predicted heavy falls…and we don’t want them.

A tornado in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

If you read my other blog, Bagni di Lucca and Beyond, you will know that we had a tornado in Bagni di Lucca on Wednesday night. Many residents would have spent a terrifying night listening to the fierce wind tearing up trees and tiles from their roofs.

La Villa was very badly hit and the beautiful little park has been devasted. Trees that are hundreds of years old have been uprooted and snapped off.

The clean up was quick and efficient in La Villa. The broken tiles have all been cleaned up from the streets and the fallen trees are being cut into smaller pieces for removal.

I went for a walk through La Villa and was pleased to see that things were back in order. There is some roof damage in several buildings, including Circolo dei Forestieri, the pharmacy and Villa Ada.

Lots of trees are down in the garden on Villa Ada, but the roof damage doesn’t look as bad from the back of the building.

The trees have been removed from the church in Corsena.

A crane is at work in the nearby cemetery to help with the clean up.

Many roads to the outlying villages are cut by fallen trees. There is going to be lots of work for woodcutters for quite some time cleaning up the mess.

It was a beautiful day here today, the sun was shining and it almost felt like a spring day. It is hard to believe that this strange weather event happened at all.

It has come to my attention that the villages of Gombereto, Veteglia, San Gemignano, San Cassiano and Pieve di Controne have been badly damaged. Francis has been to the area and has some photos and news of the damage.

Click here and here to see his posts.

12 years ago

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Today, 1st March, is the twelfth anniversary of the first time we stood on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio and decided Bagni di Lucca was where we wanted to buy our little piece of Italy.

A lot of water has passed under the Ponte since then, but I can safely say that it was an excellent decision. We love the village and enjoy spending several months a year here. It really is our second home.

I celebrated by planted pansies on the bridge with the help of the newest Australian to buy a house at Ponte a Serraglio…meet Paul.

…and the pansies. Daffodils are also making an appearance. I was hoping for some sun to help them along…maybe tomorrow.

Thanks Ponte a Serraglio for making us welcome.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Category Archives: The villages of Bagni di Lucca