Category Archives: Things to see and do

Bagni di Lucca Games

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The Bagni di Lucca games event has been a great success. It is the brainchild of Priscilla Valentino. She and her team have done an excellent job bringing the residents of Bagni di Lucca together for days and nights of fun competition.

This year I was not in the village for the event so I am sharing some photos taken by others.









There are lots of photos on the Bagni di Lucca Facebook pages. I encourage everyone to look for them to see the happy faces of the participants.

The Granchio (crab) team won this year, but the real winner is Bagni di Lucca.

The games begin

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The opening ceremony for the Bagni di Lucca Games was a great success. 400 people gathered for the parade of the 4 groups taking part in the events to come. 600 stayed for dinner. The fun continued into the night with music and dancing.

I am not in Bagni di Lucca right now so I have taken some photos from the Comune page to share.

 

Mmm


Here are some more from my lovely friends Frederick and David who have jumped right in to the festivities.


Here is a list of the events.

 

I think this is the best thing to happen in Bagni di Lucca in a long time. It has brought the residents together in friendly competition. Congratulations the the organisers of the events.

Bagni di Lucca Games 2

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The first edition of the Bagni di Lucca Games in 2025 was a huge success. Now it is time for round two.

This year the games begin on 22 August with an opening parade at 6.30 pm followed by a community dinner in Piazza Jean Verraud.

Four districts…Vipera (snake),  Alce, (moose), Trota (trout) Granchio (crab) will compete in a range of events, including padel, sand volleyball, traditional card games and a relay race.

Here is the schedule.

Here are some photos from last year.

 

 


What a great idea for Bagni di Lucca. I’m sure it will be fun for everyone involved.

A good day for Villa Ada

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Villa Ada was opened to the public yesterday. Walking up the renewed road to the Villa revealed the beginnings of the renovation of the garden. The trees are thriving.


The old wisteria tunnel is coming back to life.

Villa Ada is looking good.

A good crowd gathered.

The ribbon was put in place.

The gathered crowd moved inside to listen to the speakers.

 

The officials assembled to cut the ribbon.

The ribbon was cut.

I had a brief look into one of the rooms.

I look forward to seeing it when it has progressed further.

Rita Gualtieri, who has been instrumental in the project for years, says that there will be co-working spaces open to the community, including students. It will be a functional space for all. With internet connection students will have access to training tools and remote work. Adults will find areas of gathering to socio-cultural initiatives.

Congratulations to all involved in this work. The newly revived  Villa Ada is a good addition to the Bagni di Lucca community.

 

Villa Ada opens

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The restored ground floor and garden of Villa Ada will be open to the public to view on Saturday 30th May at 10.00.

Villa Ada is at the end of Via Angelina Whipple in Bagni di Lucca Villa. The ribbon will be cut at 10.30 to open the house and visits will be allowed. Refreshments will be served.

It will be excellent to see one of Bagni di Lucca’s historic houses restored.

Villa Ada is a 16th century estate originally owned by the De Nobili family. It was modernised in the 19th century by British Consul Sir Mac Bean, who added its hexagonal towers. It became community property in 1975.

 

 

New park dedicated to Mario Lena

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A new public park has been opened behind the Palazzo Comunale di Bagni di Lucca. It is a green, open space, with paths leading to the Lima River. The park is designed as a space where people can relax, socialise and will also host cultural activities.

The park is dedicated to Mario Lena, a teacher, poet and mayor of Bagni di Lucca for 10 years, between 1960 and 1970, a crucial time in the modern development of the town.

He was born in Bagni di Lucca on 31st August 1925 and died on 27th January 2023. He was a well known and loved member of the Bagni di Lucca community.

The park was made possible thanks to the contribution of the Fondazione di  Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca and the Municipality of Bagni di Lucca.

I arrived early and grabbed a seat before a large crowd gathered.

The ribbon was cut to officially open the new park.

The mayor spoke to welcome everybody and declared the park open.
Then Priscilla Valentino addressed the group of school children in the audience to tell them about Mario Lena. It is important that his legacy is kept alive. Signore Lena’s two sons were in the audience.

There was a performance by the Kokopelli Association, with Maria Delores Diaz and Roberto Ragghianti, inspired by the relationship between man and nature.

I walked to the end of the park to the path to the river. Young trees have been planted in groups. They will soon grow and provide shade.

The sign naming the park was unveiled.

A small Bagni di Lucca resident watched the proceedings.

The Parco Mario Lena is a welcome addition to Bagni di Lucca. Access to the park is via a small lane beside the Palazza Comunale.

On my way home I ran into a resident I know, who was taught by Mario Lena as a child. He told me he was an inspirational teacher loved by his students. He also praised his time as mayor.

I remember a distinguished, gentle man I often met at our local bar in the morning. It was always a pleasure to speak with Mario.

It is fitting that this special man now has a permanent place in his town where he can be remembered.