There was a small earthquake near Castelnuovo in the Garfagnana yesterday at about 4.00pm.
We felt it here in Bagni di Lucca quite strongly. There was a loud noise and my house shook for a couple of seconds.
There are no reports of damage to people or property. People here seem to be fairly used to having the earth shake, but this was my first earthquake, and I have to say I didn’t like it one bit.
If I hear anything more I will let you know.
It is cold in Bagni di Lucca…it is the middle of winter after all.
The Lima River is full of water after recent rain and snow.
The ducks…including the white one and the goose…seem to be coping with the cold.
There is snow on the mountains around us.
…and we have been having some beautiful sunsets.
Winter is a lovely time to be in Bagni di Lucca.
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.
Lucchio, at 780 metres above sea level, is one of the higher villages of Bagni di Lucca. Stone houses cling to the side of the mountain, making you wonder how on earth they were built all those years ago.
There is a ruin of a fortress at the top of the village. The fortress successfully defended the town against invaders in the centuries of fighting in the area.
We didn’t make it to the very top….next time
Of course there are magnificent views from the village.
Not many people live in Lucchio now, but the village is well preserved and there are some lovely buildings and well kept gardens. We spent an hour or 2 wandering (slowly, these streets are steep ) It is said that the hens in Lucchio lays square eggs to prevent them from rolling down the hill.
Don’t overlook Lucchio in your travels in Bagni di Lucca. It is the last village on the way to Abetone.
Thank you Italy Magazine for choosing Lucchio as the Best Single Travel Post in the Blogger Awards and thank you to all those who voted for Bella Bagni di Lucca.
Here are some other posts on Bella Bagni di Lucca you might find interesting.
An Old Tradition in Bagni di Lucca
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.
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.
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.
I have spent 6 months in Bagni di Lucca this year. I have been to most of the villages that make up our community. Here is a look back over the year.
I arrived in February 2012 to very cold weather. There had been heavy snow in early February and there was still a little left when I arrived.
The edges of the river in front of my house froze.
I love winter in Bagni di Lucca, but when spring arrives it is magical.
There was some late snow in the mountains.
As the weather warmed up I had a great time visiting the mountain villages.
Sunset in Casabasciana.
The beginning of spring in Fornoli.
Montefegatesi in the spring sunshine.
A doorway in Granaiola.
Colle shines in the spring sun.
The pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio look cheerful.
The memorial for the fallen patriots in La Villa.
Geese in Longoio out for a walk.
Early morning at Ponte a Serraglio.
Looking down on Ponte a Serraglio.
Pears ripening in the spring sun.
The view from Bagni Caldi.
Early summer in Lugliano.
The view from upper Vico Pancellorum.
Picking cherries in Pieve di Monti di Villa.
Decorating the piazza in Brandeglio.
The gorgeous pool in La Villa.
The archery competition in La Villa.
Summer geraniums.
The beginning of autumn.
Grapevines near Longoio.
Lucchio appearing between the trees.
Chestnut time.
Autumn at the old station in Fornoli.
Porcini mushroom time.
The first snow of the season.
I left just as heavy rain began to fall in Bagni di Lucca.
My favourite post of the year was about Renzo, a shepherd we met tending his sheep. I love these chance encounters with Bagni di Lucca locals. Most are happy to take the time to talk about their lives in this gorgeous part of the world.
The most popular post was the one called Meet Emilio Ferrari. The post was Freshly Pressed ( featured by WordPress) early in the year. Emilio and his lovely wife Alfa (they drive a Fiat) has been read by thousands of people all over the world.
I will be back in Bagni di Lucca soon…..can’t wait.
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.
![4752_10151264678234691_725687526_n[1]-Elves](https://bellabagnidilucca.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/4752_10151264678234691_725687526_n1-elves.jpg?w=584 "Bagni di Lucca artists")
Thank you Morena for being roving reporter for the blog and sharing wonderful local activities with us.
Merry Christmas to all the followers of Bella Bagni di Lucca. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
Thank you for following Bella Bagni di Lucca. Perhaps I will see you in our lovely village one day.
I will be back in Bagni di Lucca soon to gather more photos and stories to share with you. If there is anything you would particularly like to see, let me know, and I will do my best to track it down.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 