Then and Now…Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The name Ponte a Serraglio (bridge of harem or menagerie. I wonder what went on here in the distant past) is mentioned as “ad Serrajule” in a document for the first time in 838.

I can’t show you what it looked like then, but there are photos from the early 1900s.

Some of the buildings remain and look similar. Bar Italia and Il Monaco now take the place of the 2 cafes with tables and provide the focus for the piazza.

This is the view of the piazza from my balcony.

The road to the piazza in Ponte a Serraglio looks quite different. The beautiful old plane trees which lined the river have gone.

New trees have been planted and are doing well, but it will be a long time before they are as grand as the old ones.

This photo is taken from the other side of the river, but you can see how the new trees are growing beside the river.

The views from the bridge probably haven’t changed all that much.

We have a new walking bridge across the river.

The lovely old towers beside Villa Fiori have been cleaned and look great.

I think Ponte a Serraglio is one of the prettiest villages in Bagni di Lucca, but, of course, I am biased.

Most of the new photos were taken in summer. I will be back in Ponte a Serraglio soon to enjoy some lovely cold winter weather. I am hoping for snow.

Food markets

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The local food markets in Bagni di Lucca are great. You can buy wonderful local produce at reasonable prices.

There is a good selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables and there is often a stand selling fresh fish and one selling roast chickens and other delights.

The markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday at La villa and Tuesday and Friday at Fornoli. They start at about 9.00am until 1.00pm.

This was my haul one day.

Vizzata

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Vizzata is one of the tiny hamlets that make up San Cassiano.

Rain clouds threatened to make their way across the mountain behind the village the afternoon I was there, but the rain held off long enough for me to have a look around.

I parked my car at the car park at the bottom of the village as I couldn’t see a road in. The little path into the centre was lined with pretty gardens and flower filled pots.

Vizzata is very tiny. I don’t know how many people live there, but I suspect it is not many. There are some very interesting buildings, including a few renovators’ delights.

There were some very tired cats resting in quiet spots.

All of the mountain villages in Bagni di Lucca have beautiful views, and Vizzata is no exception.

Don’t miss Vizzata on your travels around Bagni di Lucca.

The mule trail from Ponte a Serraglio to Granaiola

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The intrepid Belinda has been out walking the wintery hills. There are dozens of ancient mule trails between the villages. The one between Ponte a Serraglio and Granaiola has recently been cleaned up, so Belinda and some mates headed off to discover the trail on a sunny winter day.

The terrain is not as beautiful as it is in spring, but winter has its charms.

A very cute chapel appeared on the way.

The group enjoyed a very good lunch (pecorino with honey, macaroni with salmon and red wine) at the Rifugio Fiori, a litte further on from Granaiola at Pieve Di Monti di Villa.

They took the road back to Ponte a Serraglio, but there are several tracks down the mountain.

I will tackle this in spring and report further.

La Lanternina in Fornoli

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

La Lanternina is down a flight of stairs in a side street in Fornoli, so it can be easy to miss.

That would be a mistake. The owner is very friendly and he serves delicious food.

There is a a wood fired pizza oven. I will have to go back to try the pizza…or you could go and report back.

La Lanternina

Via Alcide De Gasperi, 28

Fornoli

0583 87529

About the blog

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I recently received a comment on a post I wrote in 2013 about Arte Barsanti, a local company that still makes plaster of paris figurines in the same way as they have been made in the area for centuries.

The comment was made by a man from USA. He says that his father was born in Riolo and went to America as a 14 year old boy and worked for people who came from Bagni di Lucca making the figurines. He later founded his own business which his sons now operate.

I started the first blog, Bagni di Lucca and Beyond, to inform our friends who came to the village about where to go and what to see. It grew to include all my travels, so I started Bella Bagni di Lucca to share only stories and photos of the villages that make up Bagni di Lucca.

An unexpected and delightful thing about writing the blogs has been comments such as the one mentioned. It is quite amazing how many people around the world have a connection with Bagni di Lucca.

I have received dozens of comments on the blogs and emails from people who have told me that their grandparents lived in one of the houses I have photographed, or that they remember playing in a tiny street in one of the villages, or they have heard their families talk about Bagni di Lucca.

People have told me that they have come to Bagni di Lucca because of what I write about the villages. Some have liked the place so much that they have returned several times. Some have even gone on to buy property in the area.

Fellow Bagni di Lucca blogger, Francis of From London to Longoio, has just done a post along the same lines.

Writing a blog takes quite a bit of time, but it is all worthwhile when we receive these wonderful comments from people with an interest in Bagni di Lucca.

Thank you to all those who follow the blog and take the time to share thoughts.

Click here to see the post on Arte Barsanti.

Pinocchio Park

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I guess you all know that The Adventures of Pinocchio was inspired by Carlo Lorenzini‘s time in Collodi, which is a short drive from Bagni di Lucca. It is where his mother was born and he spent some happy childhood years there. The book is written under the pseudonym Carlo Collodi, echoing his love for the village.

Collodi decided to make the most of the connection, and in 1956 Pinocchio Park opened to welcome visitors to the world of Pinocchio. I visited on a quiet autumn day and had the park almost to myself…come for a walk with me.

Collodi is a pretty village ( the old bit ) and needs to be discovered another day.

A giant Ponocchio welcomes you to Collodi.

At the entrance is a lovely sculpture of Ponicchio with Geppetto.

Before you enter the park there is a museum with Pinocchio related artefacts.

…and a collection of Pinocchio books from different decades and countries.

The park has seen better days and could do with a bit of a makeover, but it still has a certain charm.

I particularly liked the tiny houses filled with puppets and Pinocchio characters.

The walking path winds through the park and there is a delightful character at every turn.

Special mention goes to the fox and the cat.

The cat is packing a gun…and a bottle of coke.

There is a fairly impressive pirate ship, which must be full of children in busy times.

The whale is even more impressive.

On the way out the gift shop has a little workshop like Geppetto’s.

Pinocchio Park has had some less than kind reviews on various sites, but I followed a little boy around the paths and he was excitedly explaining to his mother each of the characters he came upon. He knew them all and had a tale to tell about each one (with special voices and much arm waving) .

If you go, read the book beforehand and take a child who has read the book. It will be fun.

A single adult ticket costs €11, but for €15 the ticket includes the nearby Giardino Garzoni, which will be the subject of another post.

pinocchio.it

Bella Bagni di Lucca in 2014

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

I visited more of the many villages that make up Bagni di Lucca in 2014. I have now been to almost all of them and there is at least one post on each.

Here are some that I visited this year to add to my collection of photos of beautiful Bagni di Lucca. If you click on the name of the village a relevant post will appear.

I went for a winter walk in Lugliano.

Montefegatesi never disappoints.

San Gemignano di Controne has pretty gardens and winding lanes.

Nearby Gombereto looked beautiful in spring.

I went for a delightful walk outside Longoio through an enchanted forest with ancient stone trails. I met some beautiful animals along the way.

Mobiano is a tiny hamlet near Longoio where I went for a summer wander.

Beautiful Crasciana beckoned from its position high above the Lima Valley.

A little further on, Crasciana Alta offers even higher views over the valley and surrounding mountains.

I drove past lofty Lucchio on my way back from a trip to Bologna. From the other side of the valley you can really see how it clings like a limpet to the side of the mountain.

Pieve di Controne is one of the prettiest of the villages. It sits peacefully on a plateau overlooking the beautiful villages beyond.

Cembroni is one of the hamlets that make up San Cassiano di Controne, once the most populated area of Bagni Di Lucca.

I look forward to continuing my visits to the villages in 2015. You can see all of those I have been to so far by clicking…The Villages

A dusting of snow at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A light dusting of snow has fallen at Ponte a Serraglio. I’m not there to see it, but my friends sent me some photos to share with you. I remember how excited I was the first time I saw snow fall on my balcony. The locals might find it a pest, but it is fun when you are used to a sub tropical climate.

Thanks Kendall, Allan and Ella for sharing your photos. I have been transported from rain in Brisbane to snow at Ponte a Serraglio.

We had some serious snow last year. Click here and here to see the photos.

Merry Christmas from Bagni di Lucca

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Christmas is a lovely time to be in Bagni di Lucca. Christmas lights appear, panettone is eaten and little festivals happen.

One of the most delightful of these is the Presepi Viventi…Living Nativity. This year Granaiola was turned into a living nativity scene. It was a cold afternoon but everyone kept warm with wine, crepes and roasted chestnuts.

Visitors walked through the village to witness displays of traditonal crafts, food and entertainment. It is wonderful to see everyone take part.

Here are some photos kindly forwarded by my friend Belinda.