The Demidoff Temple

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The neo-classical building sits beside the lovely Camaione stream, which enters the nearby Lima River at Ponte a Serraglio.

The Demidoff Temple was built in 1831 by grateful Russian Prince, Nicolaj Demidoff, who was delighted to have his gout cured in the thermal waters of Bagni di Lucca. The round building with 4 pillars was designed by architect Giacomo Marracci. It followed the building in 1826 of the Demidoff Hospital, joined by a bridge to the temple. The hospital is now the Villaggio Globale, a holistic health centre.

Award night at Teatro Accademio

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Teatro Accademio in Bagni di Lucca hosted a fun night recently. Awards were presented to the creators of the best Presepe and Mailart.

The lovely theatre was full.

The awards were presented by members of the Bagni di Lucca Proloco and Borgo degli Artisti.

Afterwards members of Croce Rossa performed Pinocchio.

Here are some of the wonderful Mailart entries.

At the end of the evening Befana came down on stage from above and went out into the square in front of the theatre to pose with the children for photos. The staff from Croce Rossa distributed stockings filled with goodies for the children.

Thank you to Morena Guarnaschelli for the photos and details of the evening.

I will be in Bagni di Lucca myself soon to take part in local activities…can’t wait.

Befana in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Italian children are very lucky around Christmas time, they have Befana as well as Babbo Natale (Father Christmas).

Legend has it that many years ago, on the night of 5th January, the 3 Kings were on their way to see baby Jesus. They became lost and stopped to ask directions. They knocked on the door of an old lady. The Kings asked the lady (who became known as Befana) if she knew the way to Bethlehem. She gave them directions, but didn’t go with them.

Later on she regretted her decision not to go to see baby Jesus. She now flies around on her broomstick offering cakes and sweets to children in the hope that one of them will be the baby Jesus.

It is now a tradition in Italy that Befana comes down the chimney on the night before Epiphany (6th january) and fills stockings with sweets and presents. Adults usually give small gifts to each other as well.

In Bagni di Lucca a little house was built for Santa Claus in the Piazza del Comune, and after Christmas it was made into a house for Befana. I’m sure she found it very comfortable.

Congratulations to all those involved in building this beautiful cottage for Befana. I wish I had been in Bagni di Lucca to see it.

Thank you to Morena Guarnaschelli for sending the photos to me so I could share them with you on the blog.

Bagni di Lucca’s Teatro Accademico

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The lovely little theatre in La Villa was modelled on La Scala in Milan…..on a much smaller scale of course.

The interior is very pretty.

It is similar to La Scala in that it is the same circular shape. Here is a look at the original.

It would be a really good idea if the Bagni di Lucca theatre was open occasionally to show visitors the interior. There are often concerts held there…check with the information office for productions.

Christmas in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Lots of fun things have been happening in Bagni di Lucca for Christmas. I am in sunny Australia now, but luckily for us Morena from Borgo degli Artisti has been taking photos of events around town.

There has been a presepe exhibition at the Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa. Bagni di Lucca has a history of making presepe…nativity scenes.

An old mould is on display to show how the statues are made.

A couple of wonderful old paintings are included in the exhibition.

A special presepe has been created by Fontanini, a local company still making presepe, and is in place on the balcony of Circolo dei Forestieri.

The exhibition will be on display for another couple of weeks…go upstairs at the Circolo dei Forestieri if you are in the area.

A wonderful event took place in the area in front of Circolo dei Forestieri with the making of an enormous necci. The fires were lit.

The giant pans were put in place.

The necci batter was spread on the pan.

The top of the pan was put on and heat applied.

Soon the necci was ready to eat.

I can’t tell you how much I wish I had been there for this. I love it when the whole community gets involved.

Paula Chesterman has been busy organising a choir and with the help of enthusiastic locals, an hour of hymns and readings from the bible took place the other night.

Mulled wine and mince pies were served afterwards…well deserved.

The choir will meet again in March. Click here for more information.

Morena has been busy with the children of the village with a workshop on elf making. The children then designed a ‘mailart’ envelope with stamp and letters were written to Santa. The best 5 envelopes will awarded on 5th January at the theatre in La Villa.

Thank you Morena for being roving reporter for the blog and sharing wonderful local activities with us.

Bruno’s chestnuts

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Autumn is chestnut gathering time in the Garfagnana. I went with Heather from Sapori-e-Saperi to visit the chestnut forest and metato (drying hut) belonging to Bruno Bertoncini in the Garfagnana, the mountain area near Bagni di Lucca.

Bruno’s chestnut forest is beautiful, and it shows what the cultivated chestnut forest looked like. These days they are mostly wild and not cleared as they used to be. Obviously if the trees are cared for they will give better chestnuts.

It has been a difficult growing season this year. Some of Bruno’s trees have blossomed 3 times instead of just once, as they should.

This tree has new growth and flowers at a time when the fruit should be ripe….strange.

There are many types of chestnuts, some are better for flour, some have better keeping qualities and some are good for roasting.

Before chestnuts can be ground to make flour they need to be dried. Bruno has a gorgeous metato which was busy drying chestnuts when we arrived. The nuts are dried for about 40 days. The fire has to be kept burning at just the right temperature for all this time.

The fire burns on the ground floor of the hut and the chestnuts are above the fire on a slatted floor.

The delightful Bruno told us lots of interesting things about chestnuts. He is a man who clearly enjoys his work.

The trees are pruned regularly. Here is a tree which has been pruned and has regrown.

I think Bruno has a delightful office. I’m sure the work is not easy, but imagine going to work here each day.

Bruno has a wonderful agriturismo called Collettino, near his chestnut forest where guests can stay in comfort and immerse themselves in this beautiful area.

www.collettino.it

www.sapori-e-saperi.com

And now for a few more chestnut photos.

Weekly photo challenge…..green

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

I don’t usually take part in the WordPress weekly photo challenge, but I couldn’t pass this one up as green is my favourite colour and I have this lovely collection of green doors that I have found all over Bagni di Lucca.

I love the wonderful old doorways in the villages of Bagni di Lucca……especially the green ones.

I think I will have to paint my door green.

Meet Catia from Giocondo in Lugliano

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

I joined Heather Jarman’s group recently to visit the farm of Catia and Maurizio Citti in Lugliano. Giocondo has 20 hectares of land with chestnut trees, olive trees and various crops. The main attraction was their herd of Cinta Senese pigs.

Cinta Senese is an ancient breed of Tuscan pig. They have been raised in the area for centuries. After almost becoming extinct, the breed is now being bred again. Unlike normal pigs which are usually intensively bred, Cinta Senese are kept in large outdoor pens and fed a diet as close as possible to their preferred diet of acorns and food from the forest floor.

They are prized for their excellent flavour. Catia makes her own prosciutto, sausage and other pork products. Once you try salumi from Cinta Senese you will be spoiled forever.

As well as the pigs, there are cows and sheep bred for their milk to make cheese, and donkeys just for fun.

Catia also grows apples, pears, figs, strawberries, raspberries and chillies to make jams and preserves.

While Catia was preparing our delicious lunch I wandered around the forest on the property.

The views from the property are spectacular.

Lunch was prepared using only local products. First we had porcini mushrooms with polenta and pecorino cheese made by Catia.

Next was prosciutto, salami and a mature pecorino with onion jam and chillie jam, and crostini with lardo and sausage with stracchino.

Catia had also made a cake for us, which she served with a blueberry sauce.

Take a look at Giocondo’s website to see all the products they produce. I don’t know when they sleep.

www.agriturismogiocondo.com

Thank you Catia (right) and Heather for a fun day.

www.sapori-e-saperi.com

Budding artists in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

On a wet weekend what could be better than gathering with friends to learn something about painting? Morena from Borgo degli Artisti offered her services over 2 afternoons to teach some local children at the studio in Ponte a Serraglio.

On the first day the children learned to mix colours, and about the colour spectrum.

On the second day the children learned about shading, and set about to paint a Christmas scene.

Some of the paintings will be framed and displayed in the gallery at Christmas time. I hope you will all come to Borgo degli Artisti at Ponte a Serraglio to see them.

Perhaps you can buy a painting before the artist becomes famous.

My favourite building in Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

We almost bought an apartment in this gorgeous building designed by Lucchese architect Giuseppe Pardini. The building was constructed in 1838 and once housed the prestigious Hotel de Russie.

The building has a colourful history. In 1904 – 1905 English writer Louise de la Ramee, better known as Ouida, stayed in the hotel. She is now buried in the English cemetery nearby. Click here to see more on the cemetery.

During WWII the building was occupied by the German army. There is a plaque on the wall beside the street to commemorate the 13 patriots who were imprisoned inside.

There are now 6 apartments here. I particularly love the balcony at the front of the building. The middle one was almost ours.

I would love to see the building renovated …….. but not too much.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Category Archives: Things to see and do