If you take the road to Montefegatesi that goes past Monti di Villa and keep your eyes peeled you will spot a perfect place to stop to get excellent views of this gorgeous village. I went with friends in November and was rewarded with this lovely sight.
Every time I visit Montefegatesi I am reminded of the tenacity of the early settlers to these mountain villages. They must have been made of stern stuff.
Fornoli is the place to be this Sunday, 18th December.
A delightful Christmas event was held in Bagni di Lucca on the weekend. Babbo Natale, Father Christmas, visited in many forms. There was singing, dancing and a Christmas market.
Valerio Ceccarelli captured the event for all to share.
It is amazing how much happens in the villages of Bagni di Lucca.
The living nativity in Pieve di Monti di Villa was a great success. Lots of people attended and got into the spirit of things. I was unable to attend as I am currently in Australia, but luckily my friends Teri and Charlotte were there and took some photos.
Valerio Ceccarelli also captured the event.
It is wonderful to see so many people take part and to see a crowd of people enjoying the event. These local festivals are a delightful part of life in the villages of Bagni di Lucca…long may they continue.
One of the most delightful events to happen in Bagni di Lucca is coming up. The Presepe Vivente will be held on 4th December. This year it will be in Pieve di Monti di Villa. The residents have been busy preparing the village. Paul Davies dropped in to take some photos.
This is an event not to be missed.
Bagni di Lucca has long been known for making figurines. As a cheaper alternative to carved marble or stone, religious statues were made with Plaster of Paris, or gesso. Presepi, or nativity scenes, were particularly popular and salesmen from Bagni di Lucca took them to the world.
The industry still exists in Bagni di Lucca and there is now a plan to introduce a course in the making of figurines. A contribution from Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca has enabled a small group of people including the mayor, Massimo Betti, Alessandro Gabrielli, Sonia Lena and Mariano Mariani to initiate a course of lessons in this traditional art.
The lessons will be open to anyone over 16 and will be managed by Simone Fiori from Arte Basanti, a firm that still makes figurines by hand in the old tradition. (Click here to see the post about it) He will be helped by Mariano Mariano, Luca Marchi and Marco Fontanini from other local businesses.
Applications for the course can be made until 23rd December at the education office in the Comune in La Villa or through the website http://www.comunebagnidilucca.it.
The course, or courses, if there is enough interest, will begin in the new year and will consist of lessons over 5 mornings and 2 afternoons. The cost will be €50 for residents and €80 for non residents. Each course will be limited to 10 people.
For information call (39) 0583 809940.
I think this is an excellent initiative and I hope it is successful. It would be great if it becomes popular and attracts people from outside the area as well as locals.
Residents of Bagni di Lucca took their plaster skills all over the world when they migrated to other countries. It would be wonderful to revive the skill and provide a fun thing for visitors to do.
Please share this post and spread the word.
Local photographer Paul Anthony Davies has taken some lovely photos of autumn in Pieve di Monti di Villa. He has kindly allowed me to share them with you.
Pieve di Monti di Villa has a restaurant, Rifugio Fiori, which is open part time.
It also has a bar, a great addition to the village.
Autumn is a gorgeous season in the mountain villages.
Don’t miss the living navity in Pieve di Monti di Villa on 4th December. It is a wonderful event.
Driving along mountain roads in autumn brings lots of rewards. Winter is not far off now, but earlier in autumm the colours were glorious.
The colours are amazing.
When the late afternoon sun hits the hills they light up.
In winter most trees will be bare against the cold.
All seasons have their beauty.
This weekend is the time to be in Fornoli.
Let’s hope the weather is fine.
Lucchio is the village that clings to an almost vertical mountain side. At the top is La Rocca, the ruins of an old fort.
La Rocca was our first destination before seeking out the roasting chestnuts.
It is a steep climb to the top along a rocky path.
We passed an enthusiastic gardener digging his rich looking soil.
Onwards and upwards…
There are some steep steps to the very top.
There isn’t much of the fort left, just a few crumbling walls.
The views are stunning even on a misty, wet day.
A family found a great spot for a picnic.
We had lunch in the local restaurant, which had drawn a large crowd. Our 3 course lunch was delicious. I forgot to photograph the pasta course and the roast meat, but here is the antipasti.
The chestnuts were being roasted down by the church, so this time we headed down towards the bottom of the village. Not many people live in Lucchio these days, but the village is well loved by those who do live there. The streets are well maintained and clean. There are a few houses for sale, just in case you are looking for a quiet life with great views.
The church was open and later there was to be a concert.
The chestnut roasting was well underway by the time we got there. I have acquired a taste for necci with ricotta, and this was the best I have had.
The road down offers glimpses of Lucchio through the trees.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 