Don’t forget the annual Chestnut Festival to be held in the Villa Fiori park on 18th October…let’s hope it is a fine sunny day and lots of people come.
Chestnut festival at Ponte a Serraglio
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Category Archives: Things to see and do
18th July 1944
There is a beautiful, if somewhat neglected, building in Ponte a Serraglio. It was at one time the Hotel de Russie. The building was designed by Giuseppe Pardini and built in 1838. It is now apartments.
On the side of the building is a plaque stating that 13 partisans were held in the building during WWII when the building became Nazi headquarters.
The men were shot on 18th July 1944. There is a memorial in the cemetery in Ponte a Serraglio.
Behind the memorial is a narrow path. At the back of the memorial is another one.
I found these names on small plaques on the wall.
What a sad and lonely place it is, reflecting the misery and futility of war.
Giuliana’s new shop
I told you a while ago about a great new accessory shop in La Villa opened by Giuliana. She has now joined with a friend and moved the shop to Fornoli.
The shop now sells clothes and accessories for men and women.
It is a great addition to Fornoli, and La Villa’s loss. Drop in, say hello and take a look at the excellent selection.
Pinocchio returns
The Pinocchio festival returned to Bagni di Lucca on the weekend.
It was opened by the mayor and a band.
Thank you to Rosi for the photos above, I missed the start.
The band played and some young spectators were keen to try their dance steps.
There were stalls selling all kinds of things and the stall owners got into the spirit of things by dressing up.
It was fun to see some wool preparation, old equipment and some serious knitting and crochet.
…and some wood sawing.
There were stilt walkers and magicians to entertain the crowds.
…a slide for the children.
Best of all are the children playing old fashioned games with their parents watching close by.
This little girl looks very pretty with her painted face.
This is is one cool dude.
I like the mode of transport.
Even Pinocchio needs a rest.
This festival is excellent. I have been to a couple now and it is a fun weekend in La Villa…long may it continue.
Porcini mushrooms
Now is the time for porcini mushrooms in our area. It has been very dry, not good for mushrooms, but some have been gathered in Garfagnana and have appeared at Ristorante Del Sonno in La Villa.
…just perfect for a delicious mushroom risotto.
The recent rain should have more growing in the forests…we wait patiently or impatiently as the case may be.
Local news…
Don’t miss the Pinocchio festival in La Villa this weekend…it is always a lot of fun.
Vendemmia…time to pick grapes
All over Italy grapes are ripening on the vines. My friends invited me to help pick their grapes to make wine. I happily agreed.
The setting of the vineyard is lovely and it was a gorgeous day.
The grapes are looking excellent…they taste good too.
Time to pick grapes.
Time for lunch…with some of last year’s wine.
Thank you for inviting me to be part of the day, it was fun and I look forward to sampling the wine when it is ready.
Antique market in Lucca
If you are looking for antiques, or interesting old things for your home, garden or wardrobe head off to Lucca on the third weekend of each month for the Antique Market.
The vendors are spread over the streets surrounding Piazza San Giusto, Piazza Antelminelli, San Giovanni and more. There are around 230 vendors in the second oldest market in Italy you can find all kinds of treasures.
Quite a few great things have found their way to my house from the Antique Market.
Alberigi…for your outdoor stuff
There is a great shop at Chifenti where you can buy all kinds of great things for your garden. They also sell pizza ovens, pellets for your heater and lots of other things.
I spotted these wonderful old water pipes and thought they would look good in the garden at Casa Debbio, but someone had beaten me to them…I should call in more often.
We bought a lovely travertine garden table and bench seats at Alberigi. They also have tiled tables, outdoor paving and some great old things that he finds. I’m sure you will find something you can’t live without here.
http://www.alberigimarcostore.it
Via del Piano 6,
Chifenti
Phone…(39) 0583 895585
Bridge reflections
There can never be too many photos of the magnificent Ponte della Maddalena. Sometimes you can be very lucky and find the river below as smooth as glass, offering gorgeous reflections.
Walk to the top for beautiful views of the valley.
I love this bridge…when I see it I know I am not far from Bagni di Lucca.
Morena Guarnaschelli exhibition
Morena Guarnaschelli is having an exhibition of her art at the Museum of Sacred Art at Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Benabbio on 15th and 16th August.
I hope you will all drop in to see her exhibition.
