The inauguration of San Michele Arcangelo in Benabbio

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

While I was enjoying myself at the archery competition in La Villa another important event was taking place high above Benabbio. Morena from the Borgo Artisti went along and took some photos for us.

There was a Castello by Lupo Lupari on the original site of the village of Benabbio, above where the village now stands. The ruins of the castle are still there.

The small church beside the Castello has been restored and people gathered to inaugurate the building.

It was a hot day and it is a long walk up that hill. A lucky few got a ride up.

Some managed the walk.

Everyone moved into the restored church.

There were photo boards of the restoration process.

It took a lot of work to bring the church back to life.

San Michele Arcangelo.

The stone floor is original.

The architect who supervised the restoration and the local historian spoke, then it was time for the priest to bless the church.

It was hot in there.

Soon it was time for everyone to be outside for refreshments.

People of all ages were there to celebrate.

Finding a spot in the shade was a good idea.

Man’s best friend is always welcome.

There is a cemetery beside the church and in 2007 – 2011 students from the university of Pisa began excavating the graves. Victims of a cholera epidemic were hastily buried and 26 skeletons have been found so far. Work will begin again soon.

Next time you are in Benabbio, take a walk up the hill to the restored church…try it on a cool day.

Thank you Morena for giving me the details of this occasion and for taking lots of photos for us.

Medieval archery in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

On Sunday 17 th June the annual Palio Della Balestra was held in La Villa. The archery competition took place in the grounds of the beautiful Villa Ada, up the hill behind the village of La Villa.

It is a good excuse for people to dress up in gorgeous medieval costumes and shoot arrows at targets…..or just watch other people shoot arrows at targets. Lots of fun was had by all.

One of the handsome young knights had trouble doing his hair given that he was wearing rather large gloves. Fortunately one of his mates helped out.

That is much easier to fit under a helmet.

There were some serious archers.

Arrows were checked and removed from the targets.

Scores were discussed.

There were flowers to be presented to winners.

There was a display of medieval food preparation.

There were weapons to be discussed.

Meanwhile there was a little market in La Villa.

After the first round of the competition the participants were joined by drummers and other musicians for a parade into town.

The drummers were excellent.

Look at this gorgeous young drummer.

Actually they were all gorgeous.

There were also bagpipes.

Here is a last look at the handsome young knight.

Then it was time for lunch before the next round of competition……but by then it was hot and I went home.

When you visit and town or village make sure you check with the information centre to see what festivals are on….you wouldn’t want to miss one.

Thank you to Ilario (see comments below) for letting me know that Bagni di Lucca’s crossbow team is the champion team in Italy. I told you there were some serious archers there.

Click here to see the 2013 event.

A close shave at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Valter is the barber in Ponte a Serraglio, but he is so much more. Every day there is a line of gentlemen sitting in his chairs, but I’m not sure they are waiting for a shave or a haircut. I think they are there to discuss and solve the problems of the world.

Jim regularly visits Valter when he is in Ponte a Serraglio for a haircut and some manscaping.

If you are a gentleman in need of a trim, call in to see Valter, he does a great job, and you might just solve some serious issues.

I’m sure some of these chaps have been lining up at Valter’s for years….long may it continue.

PS. It is with regret that I have report that Valter has retired and it seems nobody was prepared to take over his shop, so there is no longer a barber in Ponte a Serraglio.

Meet Oriano and Pina from Pieve di Monti di Villa

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

We met 2 of Pieve di Monti di Villa’s hundred or so inhabitants when we were trying to raid a cherry tree on the side of the road.

Oriano appeared and with his trusty umbrella he pulled a branch down for us.

Soon his wife Pina joined us and told us a little about their pretty village. Oriano was born in the village and Pina was born in Genova. She was sent to Pieve as a child during the war. She found Genova a little noisy when she went back and eventually settled in the village and met Oriano.

Many of the residents moved away to America, Australia and Canada in tough times in the 20th century. People are slowly coming back to enjoy the peaceful mountain life.

Come for a walk through the village to see why.

The church dedicated to St Julia was built in the 12th century, rebuilt in 1446 and remodelled between 1760 and 1766. Only the apse belongs to the original structure.

The narrow streets wind slowly down the side of the mountain.

There are some lovely old doorways.

And some interesting locking devices.

Things grow well in Pieve.

There are lovely details.

There is a pretty bar, which wasn’t open the afternoon we were there. Another visit is needed.

We spotted a small resident out for a walk.

Wandering through the villages of Bagni di Lucca is delightful…especially when you get to meet lovely people like Oriano and Pina.

In every village I have been to I have met people who have been happy to stop and have a chat. Don’t be afraid to say Buongiorno, you never know where it may lead.

Vico Pancellorum, all the way to the top

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

We had lunch again at the wonderful Buca di Baldabo in Vico Pancellorum. It was a beautiful day and after lunch we ventured into new territory when we headed uphill from the restaurant.

The name Vico Pancellorum may have come from ‘panis celorum’ – heavenly bread, but more probably from a type of grass, ‘panicellum’ which grew in the area. The town is ancient and now has a population of only about 120 inhabitants.

Come for a walk to the top of the village.

We walked back to the car through beautiful chestnut trees.

The birds were singing, wildlfowers line the road and the air is heavenly. What more could you wish for?

Click here to see the other post on Vico Pancellorum which talks about the delicious food at Buca di Baldabo and the lower part of the village.

There is an official website for Vico Pancellorum…vicopancellorum.toscana.it

Meet Gianni and Daniela from Il Moro

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Gianni and Daniela have created a beautiful agriturismo in the hills above Ponte a Serraglio. It is accessible by car via the road to Colle, or is a delightful walk through chestnut forest from the village.

The views from here are divine.

It is late spring and the olives and figs are appearing on the trees.

The roses are looking gorgeous.

As well as running the agriturismo Gianni has a hobby. He likes to build roads and houses. He has 2 projects on the go. The first one we went to is a beautiful house he has built from scratch on a level terrace above his own house.

He has done an amazing job. It is not finished yet, but it is going to be magnificent.

As well as the main house, there is a smaller building, where Gianni keeps bees and processes the honey.

The bees are still working busily on the acacia honey, Gianni showed us what will be happening soon.

I hope I am still around when the honey is ready.

The next project involved a drive on a road that Gianni is still working on to a gorgeous stone house he is renovating above La Villa. I want this house!!!!!

There is the main house and a smaller building beside it which could become a work shed or an extra bedroom for guests.

The main house will eventually have 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge kitchen, living room and a cellar at the back with a little cave for keeping cheese and other delights.

The smaller building sits above an old cistern.

Gianni has renovated the building beautifully, keeping the traditional style where possible.

I love the stone, tiles and the wonderful ceilings. Somebody is going to get a wonderful place to live.

Gianni doesn’t have a website, but if you want some more information you can email him at ….agriturismoilmoro3@alice.it

Lovers’ walk

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Beside the Lima River at La Villa is the lovely walkway dedicated to the English poets, Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, who spent a few summers in Bagni di Lucca in the 1800s. The path was created from the drainage channel of an ancient millpond.

The 2 English poets wrote some of their sonnets during their visits to Bagni di Lucca in 1848, 1853 and 1857. The walk was dedicated to the pair in 2008.

You can find an entrance to the walk near Conad, where you see the sign beside the road.

There is a path to the walk beside the Teatro Accademico, where there is also access to the pedestrian bridge. It is possible to enter the walk from a couple of places at the other end of La Villa as well.

Summer fruits on the way

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

The blossoms are gone from the fruit trees and the tiny fruit has appeared. Soon we will be eating some delicious summer fruits and berries.

Tiny, perfectly formed pears.

Baby cherries.

Peaches?

Plums?

Figs….my favourite.

Gooseberries.

Don’t know.

Raspberries?

And let’s not forget the grapes.

I hope I get to try some before I have to go home.

The pretty park in La Villa

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

There is a lovely park behind the main street in La Villa, the commercial centre of Bagni di Lucca. It is a cool place to sit on a hot day and there is a children’s playground.

The park had a bit of a makeover last year. The old trees were trimmed, the water tower renovated, the playgound renewed and a new fountain was installed.

It is great to see that the park is well used by locals and visitors alike.

Acacia and chestnut blossoms

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Acacia and chestnut blossoms are appearing on trees all around us. The acacia is a bit late this year because of the rain and the cooler than usual weather.

Hopefully soon the air will be filled with the delicious honey like smell of these pretty white flowers.
I know they are weeds, but the bees like them.

The chestnut blossoms stand like proud decorations on the beautiful trees. These are horse chestnut flowers, the real chestnut trees bloom a bit later.

As well as looking beautiful, the blossoms provide nectar for the bees to make honey. The whole area is famous for its delicious, pure honey….lucky us.

Look out for some local honey while you are in Bagni di Lucca. There are lots of small producers in the villages of Bagni di Lucca.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Bagni di Lucca