Gorgeous Granaiola

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

On one of our rare sunny spring days I visited Granaiola to walk through the village and enjoy the spectacular views of Ponte a Serraglio and several other villages that make up Bagni di Lucca from the high vantage point.

Granaiola is a short drive from Ponte a Serraglio. The car park is at the top of the village…come for a walk with me through the narrow streets.

There is a fine selection of green doors.

I found a couple of renovators’ delights for you.

There is always a cat or two.

I ran into the delightful Stefano who lives alone in Granaiola since his beloved wife died three years ago. The photo I took didn’t turn out well, but here is one I took a couple of years ago at a celebration in Bagni di Lucca when he was wearing his spectacular Bersaglieri hat.

His companion is the lovely Stellina. I’m sure Stellina is a very pampered cat.

…now the views from Granaiola. You can see Lugliano on a mountain top nearby.

…and Colle below.

There are wonderful views of Ponte a Serraglio on either side of the Lima River.

Pieve di Monti di Villa and Monti di Villa are higher up.

Riolo is the village on the lower right.

The blue sky was amazing!

The Lazzi bus going to Monti di Villa will take you to Granaiola. They leave La Villa a couple of times a day. If you are reasonably fit you can walk to Granaiola from Ponte a Serraglio. It is much easier coming down.

Click here to see the previous post on Granaiola.

Ferragosto

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

15th August is Ferragosto in Italy. It is a public holiday all over the country.

The holiday dates back to the Emperor Augustus in 18 BC. The name comes from the Latin feriae Augusti, Augustus’s rest and was designed to link a few festivals and provide a period of rest after the harvest and agricultural tasks.

Many businesses close for August and most of the country is on holdiay. Beaches are packed with people on Ferragosto and it is probably the busiest day of the year on the roads…drive carefully.

Have a great day!

Fast Cars

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Following the Rally under the stars on 10th August the wonderful cars and things related to the rally were on display in La Villa, giving people a chance to see them up close.

Some people go all out for their sport.

Thank you Kerry for being roving reporter.

Can you help?

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

There was a small earthquake in Bagni di Lucca earlier this year. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but there was some structural damage to some of the ancient buildings in the area.

The 16th century church of Madonna della Neve in Guzzano suffered considerable internal damage.

The chapel was completed in 1537. In that year the pre-existing chapel was restored and enlarged to its current size and shape. Inside the chapel are notable works of art, including a statue of the Virgin with Child attributed to Della Robbia.

Claudio Gemignani of Gombereto is heading up an effort to raise funds in Italy to help save the church. Ann Barsi is looking after efforts in the USA where $5,000 has already been raised.

Ann Barsi’s book, “Pieve di Controne – 2012” will be sold at the Gombereto Medieval Festival on 31st August and all the proceeds will be donated to the restoration.

I hope you can all make it to the festival and buy a book to help the church.

Click here to see more on the book.

email Sig. Barsi at obarsi@verizon.net for more information on the fundraising efforts.

Delicious butter

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

I love butter…I probably shouldn’t…but I do. When Heather from Sapori-e-saperi told me of a place nearby that makes the most delicious butter, I had to visit.

Azienda Taufi is in Melo, just outside Cutigliano…on the road from Bagni di Lucca to Abetone. Their butter, ricotta, cheese and yoghurt (all excellent) are made from the milk of their gorgeous cows. They were all indoors on the day we visited, but in better weather they get to graze on the lush grass of the dairy farm.

Meet some of the girls…and the lone sheep…and the cat.

We also met Daniela in the little shop attached to the dairy.

She showed us through the production and store.

If you like quality dairy products it is worth the drive up the mountain to buy direct from the producers. It is possible to buy Azienda Taufi products from some local outlets…keep an eye out for them.

www.itaufi.it

agriturismoitaufi@alice.it

River art

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Our lovely friend Agostino sent these great photos of the latest art installation at Ponte a Serraglio. He lives above the village and has a bird’s eye view.

Here is a closer perspective.

…and from the other side of the bridge.

It looks like giant meccano floating on the river. I have no idea how it was done. Had I been at Ponte a Serraglio while it was happening I would have been able to tell, it is right under our balcony.

Thank you Agostino for the great photos!

Paolo’s gelato

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Paolo Citti. I am delighted that he has opened a new bar and cafe in Fornoli. I am even more pleased that his gelato making is fully operational.

Now the biggest problem is which flavour to have.

I find it difficult to go past nocciola and pistachio, but I was also tempted by chocolate and coconut…life can be molto difficile sometimes.

Say hello to lovely Paolo at Catene Cafe in Fornoli for me next time you go.

Sculpture in the park

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

There are five sculptors working in the hot sun in the Villa Fiori gardens to create beautiful art pieces from Carrara marble…all part of the Bagni di Lucca Art Festival.

Our roving reporter Kerry braved the heat to see the action and share it with us.

Michael Cartwright is an Australian artist who lives and works in Bagni di Lucca.

His marble is taking the abstract shape of a bird.

Canadian artist Doug Robinson is working on a water and bird theme.

Sarah Danays is a UK artist who has a house in one of Bagni di Lucca’s hilltop villages. Her sculpture is taking the form of a bust to display a beautiful neckpiece.

Japanese artist Ryoichi Suzuki beautiful free form shape is developing daily.

Petra Boshart from the Netherlands is working on 2 pieces representing the flowing water of the nearby Lima River.

If you are at Ponte a Serraglio stop by the park and watch the developing sculpture. There will be a display of the finished sculptures at Ponte a Serraglio on Friday 26th July.

Go to www.artfestivalbagnidilucca.org for more on the sculpture symposium.

Two exhibitions at Circolo dei Forestieri

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa is currently hosting 2 art exhibitions.

The first is a display of Mailart. Beautifully decorated envelopes have been sent to Bagni di Lucca from far and wide and are now on show.

The second is an exhibition is called Sacred and Profane…a selection of plaster statues produced by Arte Barsanti, a local factory which has been in operation since 1900. Bagni di Lucca is well known for its production of plaster presepi, nativity scenes. Here is a chance to see some beautiful pieces. Click here to see more about Arte Barsanti.

Both exhibitions are on until 25th July. Go up the stairs beside the restaurant.

Thank you Morena and Kerry for the great photos.

Art Competition at Villa Fiori

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Every year the Borgo degli Artisti organises an art competition at Ponte a Serraglio in the beautiful grounds of the Villa Fiori. Kerry was there to take some photos for us so we can be part of the fun day.

It was a hot day and the artists sought shade where they could.