Osteria I Macelli

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

The translation of I Macelli is The Slaughterhouses. I am guessing that the site of this excellent restaurant was once an abattoir. The bright yellow building sits beside a little stream behind the main commercial area of Borgo a Mozzano, the village near the Ponte della Maddalena.

The restaurant is one of our favourite places to dine, with good reason. The food is very good, the setting pleasant and the service is friendly and efficient.

To get there, drive down the one way street in the centre of Borgo a Mozzano and turn left at the sign for the restaurant.

I look forward to many delicious meals at I Macelli when I return to Bagni di Lucca very soon.

Then and now…the church at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

The church at Ponte a Serraglio was built in 1544. It has been remodelled a few times.

Here it is in 1910.

…and 1922.

…and after the last restoration.

Here it is now.

The interior is quite pretty.

The church is very well kept by a group of volunteers and is often adorned with flowers…poke your head in if you are nearby. It is a short walk from the bridge on the opposite side of the river from the piazza.

Carnevale Fornoli

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Don’t miss Carnevale in Fornoli on 14th February.

A dark time in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

During WWII the Hotel Terme in Bagni Caldi was chosen by the Interior Minister of the Fascist R.S.I (Italian Social Republic) as the district concentration camp.

Between December 1943 and January 1944 more than 100 Jews were interned in the camp.

The larger group was composed of almost 60 foreign Jews, sent to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana during the second half of 1941 in “free internment”.

A small group of foreign Jews, who were already free in BdL, and about 30 Italian Jews arrested in other places in the district joined them.

On 23rd January 1944 the interned Jews were transported from Bagni di Lucca to Florence, then to Milan. On 30th January they were sent to Auschwitz.

Only 5 out of more than 100 Jews from Bagni di Lucca survived deportation.

The information came from researchgate.net.

Parking tip

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

It can be a bit difficult for new visitors to Italy to understand the parking signs.

In many places in Bagni di Lucca (and other places) you will see this sign.

It means you can park for free, but only for 2 hours, between the hours of 8.00am to 8.00pm. Outside these hours parking for longer periods is OK.

The little dial on the bottom left of the sign indicates that you need to set your timer.

In your car you should have a timer. Set this at the time you park your car and remember to come back before the time expires.

Your hire car should have one. If not, I have found them for a couple of euros at Tabacchi and some newsagents.

If you forget to set your timer that is no excuse. If the police come you will be issued with a fine.

Castiglione di Garfagnana

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

After I left Pieve Fosciana I drove a little further on to Castiglione di Garfagnana which sits at 545 metres above the Esarulo River, a tributary of the Serchio River.

The town dates back to a Roman Castra, called Castrum Leonis (Lion’s Castle), built to oversee the valley that leads to the San Pelligrino Pass. The castle was built between1170 and 1227. It became Lucca’s most important garrison in the Serchio valley. In 1390 the “Rocca” or castle was extended and towers were built.

Some of the Rocca remains and you can walk through the narrow streets of the town to the top.

There is a road around the edge of the town outside the wall, offering excellent views of the castle and the surrounding countryside.

I entered the town through the Porta del Ponte Levatoio. It was mid afternoon and the town was deserted, leaving me to wander alone.

I went up into the old castle for some gorgeous views over the town.

Coming down from the top I came across the Church of San Pietro which was built in 723 by 2 Lombard brothers, but was rebuilt in the 12th century by Bishop Guido of Lucca.

I walked on through the pretty streets as it began to rain.

I will return when the town is a bit busier, I am sure there is more to discover.

Then and now…Bagno alla Villa

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

There is a small piazza above La Villa, the commercial centre of Bagni di Lucca. Bagno alla Villa has one of the many spas that used to be a popular place to “take the waters”.

The spa is still there but is not operating.

The building has been restored and there is even a pool in the nearby property, Villa Ada.

Work has been done to restore several of the baths in Bagni di Lucca. Soon they will fall into disrepair again. It is a puzzle to me why the administration is not doing more to encourage someone to operate the spas and help bring people and employment to the area.

…any takers?

Bagni di Lucca in 2015

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

It has been an eventful year in Bagni di Lucca. It is interesting to look back.

Click the highlighted words to see the original post.

There was a tornado early in the year which caused lots of damage. Our lovely park in La Villa was devastated, with wonderful old trees wrecked by the wind.

Many houses suffered with damaged roofs and other property damage. I hope we don’t see a weather event like that again.

Late winter is the time to plant pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio.

You can see some green appearing around Lucchio in early spring.

Gorgeous yellow forsythia appears to brighten up the cool days.

Then wisteria shows its lovely lilac face.

The beautiful house where the Barrett Brownings stayed in La Villa was lovingly restored.

Circolo dei Forestieri reopened and began serving delicious food…lucky us.

Soon on it was time to replace the pansies with geraniums. This year I had help in the form of Paul and Sheila.

In May there was much excitement, and some new roads, when the Giro d’Italia came through Bagni di Lucca.

Not long after the magnificent Mille Miglia graced our streets.

May was also the perfect time for a lunch at Rifugio Fiori in Pieve di Monte di Villa, followed by a walk down to Ponte a Serraglio along the forest walk.