Pallegio

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Pallegio has ancient origins. It was once a fortified stronghold guarding the Controneria area nearby. The village is not far from the Brennero Road towards Abetone.

It is a sleepy little village with 132 inhabitants. Come for a wander with me.

Like all of Bagni di Lucca’s mountain villages, there are wonderful views.

The narrow streets have many delights.

Soon it is back to the car park and time to say goodbye to Pallegio.

On the way back to the Brennero I found a road to the left and found what I think is the oratory of S.Maria della Quercia.

A little further on is a lovely wooded area and I found another renovator’s delight……there is a never ending supply of them in these parts.

Can you see yourself getting to work on this one?

Riolo

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

The road to Riolo is one of my least favourite in Bagni di Lucca. It is extremely narrow and winding, with little room to pass if you happen to come across another car. The entrance to the village is also narrow. I suggest parking in the area at the bottom of the village and walking up.

The sign at the entrance to the village suggests a low speed. I think this would be too fast.

The village is a pretty collection of houses, with some lovely decoration, and of course, there are wonderful views from the village. Like all of the villages of Bagni di Lucca Riolo has something different and special to offer visitors.

On the way back to the car I spotted a tiny mouse. The photo is a bit blurry, but the mouse was very small and in a hurry to get away from me.

I have heard that the road to Riolo was badly damaged in the recent heavy rains. I hope everything will be back to normal soon.

Casoli

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

To get to Casoli it is necessary to cross a tiny, narrow bridge. Turn right if driving from Bagni di Lucca, from the Brennero at the Casoli sign and take this cute bridge.

Houses were built around a castle at top of a hill and became the village of Casoli. Some remnants of the castle still stand.

At the beginning of the town is a monument to poet Francesco Puccini, who was also known as Geremia. He was born in Casoli in 1686.

The nearby Oratorio della Madonna all Fontana is well preserved.

The washing area beside the church is lovely.

Beside the washing area is one of the old mule tracks which entered the village.

There is a particularly interesting portal at the top of the track, dating from 1496.

Come for a walk through the village, starting at the church.

The village has quite a good looking bar near the car park.

Take a last look up at the village.

Then it is back down the narrow, winding road to the bridge.

Look out for the renovator’s delight opposite the bridge.

Bugnano, the abandoned village in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Bugnano is a tiny collection of completely abandoned houses, just outside the village of Riolo. There is no sign to the village, just an overgrown track at a bend in the road.

I have heard that the village was abandoned after WWII when the residents went off in search of a better life. A few years ago an English company planned to restore it and turn it into holiday accommodation, but their plans came to nothing. It may be too far gone now to do anything. The forest is taking over.

It is quite sad to see these ruined houses. Somebody once loved them. Some touches of home remain.

One house must have been very grand in its day.

The kitchen sink is still there.

And the place where the fireplace would have been.

What must have been the living room has some frescoes remaining.

The front room has great views over the mountains.

Soon the forest may take over completely.

Even the mushrooms growing near the big house look dark and sinister.

Somebody has camped in one of the houses recently.

Do you know anyone with lots of money and some imagination? Wouldn’t it be great to see the village live again?

Teri Giannetti has kindly sent some extra photos of Bugnano.

Vetteglia

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Vetteglia is a tiny hamlet in the San Cassiano area of Bagni di Lucca. 37 people live here. I think they were all having an afternoon nap the day I visited the village. I enjoyed a lovely walk in the afternoon sun.

The village is dominated the imposing Pratofiorito, where you can still see the Ravi del Pratofiorito (landslides) which destroyed the hamlets of Celle and Cerro.

There are great views across to neighbouring San Cassiano.

And to the villages on the other side of the valley.

The village is a jumble of well kept houses, pretty gardens and small fruit and vegetable plots.

The last of the peaches and pears for the season.

I almost missed this grey cat in his grey corner.

There are a few renovator’s delights to be seen.

Some perfectly stacked wood piles waiting for winter.

A perfect garden shed.

A pretty little church.

And it is only 40 minutes walk to San Gemignano.

Another day…. For me it was back to the top of the village for a last look across the tiny piazza at the top and back to my car.

A Ponte a Serraglio sunset

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

The weather has been beautiful for the last few days. We had a bit of rain, which we needed and the days are becoming cooler. The sunset this evening was spectacular.

This morning at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

The sun has just hit my balcony and it is going to be a beautiful day…..again.

The first photo was taken from my balcony and the rest from the bridge below. I think you can see why I love it here.

It has been a long, hot summer. The river is low and things are not as green as usual. Autumn will soon be here to turn the leaves gold……lovely.

A celebration of Dante Alighieri in Montefegatesi

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

On a beautiful summer evening in July, Dante Alighieri devotees were invited to an evening of poetry. The crowd gathered at the monument to Dante, high above Montefegatesi, to listen to Sergio Frati recite from memory, hymns from the Divine Comedy.

With help from fellow Dante lover, Giovanni Pacini, Sergio had the crowd enthralled.

What a wonderful way to spend a summer evening.

The views from the Dante Monument are spectacular.

It wouldn’t be an Italian evening without food, and after the recital everyone congregated for dinner at a very long table outside the club.

After dinner the group went to the town theatre where there was a historical exhibition of emigration relating to Montefegatesi.

Sergio then recited another three sections of The Divine Comedy, telling the story of Paolo, Francesco, Ugolino and other characters from Dante’s masterpiece.

I am sorry I wasn’t there for what looks like a fun evening. The photos and story were made possible by Emanuele Lotti of the Bagni di Lucca Trekking Club. Thank you Emanuele for helping us to keep up with what is happening in Bagni di Lucca.

Click here to see more on the Bagni di Lucca Trekking Club.

Dante Alighieri keeps watch over the village.

Montefegatesi revisited

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

I had only been to Montefegatesi in winter, so I thought I should take a look in warmer weather. Last time I was in the village I took the high road to the top. This time I went the other way, winding down towards the bottom.

Come for a walk through the tiny streets of Montefegatesi in lovely spring.

This white furry bundle is not a cat.

It is a cute little rabbit roaming free on a terrace.

I’ll be back soon to Bagni di Lucca for late summer and autumn…..can’t wait.

Click here to see the previous post on Montefegatesi to see the high road and the statue of Dante Alighieri watching over the village.

The opening of a new museum in San Cassiano

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

There is a new museum in San Cassiano to house the 14th century sculpture in wood of a horse and rider, identified as San Martino, by artist Jacopo dell Quercia. The sculptor is also famous for the carving of the tomb of Ilaria Guinigi in the Duomo in Lucca, and the Fontana Gaia in Siena, among other things. San Martino was known for his generosity and compassion and it is said that he cut his cloak in half and gave it to a poor freezing peasant to keep him warm in winter.

Previously the sculpture had been kept in the local church.The Chiesa Monumentale di S.Cassiano has been known since 722. The facade is from the period between 9th and 12th centuries.

At 11.30 people began to gather in front of the church for the ceremony.

The mayor of Bagni di Lucca, Dottore Massimo Betti, gave a speech about the importance of the Lima Valley. The area of San Cassiano had a population of 1800 people in the 16th century, at a time when La Villa and Ponte a Serraglio had a combined population of only 570.

After more speeches by those responsible for setting up the museum, the priest and the onlookers toasted the new museum.

Then everyone filed in to see the sculpture.

I was not at the museum opening, but Heather Jarman from Sapori-e-Saperi was, and kindly sent the photos and details of the event so we can all share it. Thank you Heather.

The new museum will be open every Saturday from 9.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 19.00. For information and booking at other times call: (39) 0583 809275

For a previous post on San Cassiano click here.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Category Archives: The villages of Bagni di Lucca