A Roman bath at Bernabo Spa

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Bernabo Spa or Bagno Bernabo, in Ponte a Serraglio has a fabulous Roman bath, among other things. I tried  other things on a previous visit, but thought it was time I tried the walk in bath.

The marble bath is filled with warm thermal spring water. Walk in and settle on the seating shelf, lie back and drift off into peaceful relaxation. It is the perfect antidote to a busy life.

I followed the deep water bath with a hot stone massage. It was wonderful and I floated off down the hill to my apartment and felt calm and relaxed for the rest of the day.

There are also smaller marble baths and lots of different treatments.

The spa has a long history. It was named after a Florentine man named Bernabo. He arrived in Bagni di Lucca in the first half of the 16th century and was healed from a serious skin ailment after bathing in the mud of the spa. Fast forward to 1810 when Napoleon’s sister Elisa Baciocchi built the current establishment. It looks much the same today as it did then. It was restored on 2006, brought back to life for lucky local residents and visitors to Bagni di Lucca.

http://www.termebagnobernabo.it

The Bagno Bernabo is open Monday to Sunday 9.00 – 18.00

Via Bagni Caldi 36, Ponte a Serraglio…It is a short, uphill walk from Bar Italia. There are a few parking spots if you have a car.

phone +39 331 171 9014 for information and appointments.

info@termebagnobernabo.it

The first Bagni di Lucca games

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Someone in Bagni di Lucca had a great idea to bring together the people of the villages that make up the town. Then an amazing group of people pulled it all together to create a wonderfully successful event for everyone to enjoy..


Four teams were organised to compete in a friendly and fun way against each other in a series of games over a few weeks…rafting, tug of war, trivia, padel ball and much more.

This is just one week’s events.

The four teams were created…Trota (Trout) with Benabbio, Lugliano, Val di Lima and Controneria. Granchio (Crab) with Ponte a Serraglio, Granaiola and Montefegatese. Vipera (Viper) with Villa, Corsena and Paretaio. Elk (Dell’Alce) with Fornoli and Fegana.

Here are some photos from the games. I was only here for the final event in Bagni di Lucca  Villa. All other photos I have scavenged from Facebook.

And the winner was…

Actually the winner was Bagni di Lucca and the people who live in this beautiful town. There was something for everyone and as you can see from the happy faces of the audiences, fun was had by all. What a great way to bring the community together and encourage pride in the town.

Congratulations to the Comune and all of the people who made this happen, the amazing organisers, the participants and the audiences who cheered them on. I would expect it will become a much loved annual event.

Dinner and magic at Villa Aurora

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Ristorante Villa Aurora was the perfect setting last night for a delicious dinner and a fun magic show .

We all enjoyed Ferdinando’s well prepared food. I really need to come to Villa Aurora more often!


It was difficult to get good photos of magician Richard’s show, but it certainly was a lot of fun. His excellent helpers Christian and Monica did very well under Richard’s guidance. I think Christian might have a life on stage coming up, he is destined to be an entertainer. He is in the red shirt, waiting to be sawed in half….he managed to survive.

Thank you Richard for organising the evening and thank you Ferdinando for your hospitality and lovely local food.

Ristorante Villa Aurora…on the road towards Casabasciana

Phone…(39) 058385600

Magic at Villa Aurora

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Ristorante Villa Aurora, in Fabbriche di Casabasciana, is a much loved restaurant in Bagni di Lucca. The delightful owner and chef, Ferdinando, has been cooking up a storm for years.

Regular customer and friend, Richard Macrory, Professor of Environmental Law in the UK, and amateur magician, is going to put on a magic show in honour of Ferdinando to thank him for his friendship and all of the delicious meals he has eaten there over many years.

The event will take place on Monday 8th of September at 9.00pm. Come for dinner and enjoy a free magic and illusion show with Richard and his assistants, Christian Boscarino and Monica Paolinelli.

It promises be a fun and delicious evening and a chance to thank Ferdinando for his work.

Please call Ristorante Villa Aurora for more information and to book a table. There is limited seating so book early.

Phone (39) 0583 85600

Come Dancing…Northern Soul in Bagni di Lucca

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The Heart and Soul Weekender is the brain child of Catherine Clift, an enthusiastic resident of Bagni di Lucca.

Her love of Northern Soul, a British subculture centred on a particular style of fast-tempo, obscure American soul music, mostly from the 60s and early 70s, has inspired her to bring an event to Bagni di Lucca. Northern Soul dancing is energetic, with complex footwork and high kicks.

The movement emerged from the British Mod Scene, with venues in Northern England and the Midlands. Iconic venues like the Twisted Wheel, the Wigan Casino and the Blackpool Mecca were crucial to the Northern Soul scene.

Northern Soul has seen a resurgence in recent years and Catherine and a group of like minded friends are bringing it to Bagni di Lucca in September. It has taken more than a year to bring everything together for what is going be a wonderful weekend of music, dance and fun!

On Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of September a music festival will be held with DJs from England, Jersey, Ireland and Italy. They will play vinyl records from the 50s to the 80s…Motown, Reggae, Rhythm and Blues, Ska, Latin and Mod music. Expect to hear The Kinks, the Isley Brothers, PP Arnold and so much more.

Bar Italia, the casino in Ponte a Serraglio (the first purpose built casino in Europe) and the Piaza Jean Varraud in La Viila will host more than 200 people travelling from all over Europe for the first event of its kind in Bagni di Lucca.

On Friday 12th September the event will kick off at Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio from 4.00pm and move to the casino where the music and dancing will continue until 2.00am.

Saturday 13th September will see the same programme.

On Sunday  September will see the fun move to La Villa to the Piazza, Antico Caffe del Sonno and Bar Roma. There will be live music with local performers Polly Haardon and Barbara.

Expect to see people dressed for the occasion. The original Northern Soul aficionados wore in Mod style, baggy trousers, long skirts, vest tops and leather brogues. The right footwear is essential so the dancer can slide with ease on the dance floor.

The Italian Mod scene became prominent in the mid 80s and was centred around Rimini. It involved a vibrant subculture focussed on fashion, music, scooters and social gathering. Vespa and Lambretta scooters became a symbol of Soul. Expect to see colourful scooters at the casino.

I’m sure the Heart and Soul Weekender is going to be a huge success…perhaps it will become an annual event.

People are coming to Bagni di Lucca from far and wide for the event. Please book if you wish to attend and make sure you book accommodation.

For more information please contact Catherine at cathymckee21@gmail.com or telephone 0044 7398208731

Poetry and sculpture in Montefegatesi

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Montefegatesi is hosting an exhibition of poetry, sculpture and painting in collaboration with the Borgo Degli Artisti. The inauguration will be in the Ermete Zacconi Theatre on Monday 4th August at 6.00pm.

On the following Sunday, 10th August, also at the theatre, there will be a concert to honour Bagni di Lucca’s poet, Mario Lena. The event begins at 6.00pm. Thank you Morena Guarnaschelli for the information.

Explore the Rocca di Lucchio

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On Monday 28th July it will be possible to see some of the excavated items from the Rocca of Lucchio, followed by a visit to the site. There will be 2 shifts, the 1st at 5.00pm and the second shift at 6.00pm.

No reservations are required, be at the beginning of the trail towards the Rocca at the appointed times.

I have no more information than this. If I was in Bagni di Lucca I would definitely be there to do this fun activity.

Things to do

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On Saturday 28th June in Montefegatesi will be Ballo con Ciao in the Montefegatesi Theatre organised by the Ermete Zacconi Society.
There will be pizza, dessert and dancing. (You don’t have to eat pizza)

Call 331 738 4968 for information.

On Thursday 3rd July at 9.00pm in the Casino in Ponte a Serraglio there will be a fashion show with vintage fashion in collaboration with Auser.

In Benabbio there Philharmonic Society of Benabbio will have a series of readings every Thursday in July at 6.00pm in the Public Garden of Benabbio.

The opening of the exhibition of Laura Balloni will be held at the gallery of Borgo degli Artisti.