There is a lot happening in Bagni di Lucca over the next few weeks.
One not to be missed is the Presepe Vivente, Living Nativity.
Presepe in Montefegatesi.
At the Teatro Accademico for the next couple of months.
I wish I was in Bagni di Lucca to take part in these excellent events.
Autumn is a great time to take a drive to Abetone, the ski village 40 kilometres from Bagni di Lucca.
As you get close to Abetone the vegetation changes and autumn is in full swing. The photos were taken from a moving car, so some are a bit blurry.
In the centre of Abetone there are 2 stone pyramids erected to celebrate the opening of the Strada Regia Modenese, Modenese Royal Road.
On the Tuscan side of the road.
On the Modena side.
The road was begun in 1766 and was completed about 10 years later. It secured an important trade route, joining the territories of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy Modena. It was financed jointly by Pietro Leopoldo and Francesco III.
From this position in the village it is possible the see some of the ski runs without snow.
The skiing in Abetone is great and the village comes alive when the snow falls, but it is very pretty right now. Take a drive and enjoy the autumn colour.
It is chestnut season! Chestnuts are ripening on the trees and chestnut festivals pop up in villages in the area.
On Sunday I visited Trassilico for their annual chestnut festival. I have developed a taste for necci, chestnut pancakes. I like mine filled with ricotta, but you can aslo have them with nutella.
Trassilico is not far from Bagni di Lucca. Drive to Gallicano at the beginning of the Garfagnana and follow the signs. The road up to Trassilico is narrow and winding, so take care.
There are some stunning chestnut forest surrounding Trassilico.
The town is perched on the side of the mountain.
The festival takes place is the little piazza just inside the entrance to the town. Chestnuts were roasting and the aroma was delicious.
I wandered a little in this well kept town.
The Rifugio was doing a roaring trade.
Through the gaps between the houses I spotted views of Vergemoli and I could see our Casa Debbio just outside the village. It was a cloudy day, so the photo is not clear.
I love these local festivals. It is good the see the small villages come alive and fill with enthusiastic visitors.
I am happy to be back in Bagni di Lucca in lovely autumn. This afternoon I walked along the river in front of my apartment to the Villa Fiori park for a “Raduno dei pappagalli” …meeting of parrots.
The park has been lovely cleaned and looked after by a group of volunteers and it is a home for gnomes now.
This afternoon parrots were invited.
Australia was represented by a couple of sulphur crested cockatoos.
There were other parrots out for the afternoon.
There was a talk about parrots and a display by a shop with parrot accoutrements.
Of course there were refreshments.
It was a delightful afternoon which was well attended.
It is lovely to be back in Ponte a Serraglio.
Here is what is coming up in Bagni di Lucca.
This Sunday in Ponte a Serraglio…
The annual Pinocchio festival in La Villa.
Also in La Villa is the second hand market.
…busy weekends in Bagni di Lucca.
What’s on this Sunday?
At 4.30pm newly renovated monuments will be revealed at the English cemetery. This will be followed at 6.15pm by music at the English church.
Call 335 58210840 for more information.
There will be a show of vintage cars from 9.00am – 11.00am at the Ponte Catene. A flea market will be held in Fornoli from 10.00am.
For information about the cars call 392 1402476 or 348 1465945
The popular bar in Montefegatesi closed a while ago. This situation is never good for a village. Without a place to gather for a coffee and a chat the heart of a village can die.
The residents took matters into their own hands and opened one themselves.
It is just off the square near the entrance to Montefegatesi. Look for the sign in green…Circolo with an arrow.
It is opposite the pretty church and off to the right.
There is a terrace with a spectacular view.
Just in case you are looking for a bit of real estate in the village I spotted this great looking building near the bar.
The bar is closed Monday afternoons. Unfortunately that is the time I chose to visit so I can’t show you inside.
The magnificent Fortezza delle Verrucole sits 600 metres above sea level above the village of Verrucole. It is 3 kilometres from the town of San Romano in Garfagnana. The fortress offers spectacular views over the Garfagnana valley and the Apuan Alps.
The fortress was built by the Gherardinghi family in feuding times around the 11th and 12th centuries. It was originally 2 buildings, Rocca Quadra and Rocca Tondo on each side of a hill and surrounded by a wall. It fell into serious disrepair until a 6 year restoration brought it back to life and open to the public. It is a wonderful glimpse into medieval life.
We visited on a cloudy spring day and walked up the path from the village.
There is a quaint ticket office at the entrance. A costumed attendant sold us our €5 tickets.
We walked up the steep steps to the tower, which had been very well restored. The first floor has been set up as if the original residents were still there.
The kitchen is particularly well done.
The top floor of the tower has information and history and great views from the outside terrace.
The toilet built into the outer wall might leave you a little exposed in winter.
We ventured to the other end of the site. There is a very good cafe that serves coffee and light meals.
We were able to have a little archery practice for the tiny sum of €3. Our friend Moira proved to be a natural and hit the target almost every time.
Jim tried too, but probably should keep his day job as an accountant. I am useless at things like this, so I was happy to watch.
We walked back through the village past an old church to the car park below…a last look at the Fortezza.
Fortezza delle Verrucole is very well presented and an interesting place to spend a couple of hours. The drive up to Verrucole is through gorgeous scenery. It is an easy day trip from Bagni di Lucca.
On 1st June there will be a concert to celebrate Republic Day. If it rains it will move from the piazza off Via Umberto I to the Teatro Accademico nearby.
This event in Fornoli is great fun. I hope it is a fine day. In case of rain it will move to the following Sunday.
On Saturday the Alta Via dei Pastori was opened. The walking path takes you from San Cassiano to Monte Prato Fiorito.
The mayor officially opened the path.
Aldo Lanini from Pegaso Trekking was the initiator and the one who brought together a group of people to organise the project.
San Cassiano di Controni was once the most populated of the Bagni di Lucca villages. It is the largest in area with several hamlets.
The information board tells the story.
This is a wonderful initiative. There are dozens of old mule trails between the villages of Bagni di Lucca. It is the perfect way to see this gorgeous area. I’m sure this new path will be put to good use.
Thank you Agostino for being there and taking the photos to share.
