Bagni di Lucca in 2015

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

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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.

Tornado damage in Bagni di Lucca

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.

pansies on the bridge Pinte a Serraglio

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

Lucchio

Gorgeous yellow forsythia appears to brighten up the cool days.

Forsythia in Bagni di Lucca

Then wisteria shows its lovely lilac face.

Wisteria in Bagni di Lucca

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

Barrett Browning house in Bagni di Lucca

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

Circolo dei Forestieri

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

planting geraniums on Ponte a Serraglio

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

Giro d'Italia in Bagni di Lucca

Not long after the magnificent Mille Miglia graced our streets.

Mille Miglia in. Bagni di Lucca

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.

a walk to Ponte a Serraglio

…and a stroll through Monti di Villa.

Monti di Villa

There was an art gallery showing.

Art Gallery Ponte a Serraglio

…and a religious procession.

Ponte a Serraglio

The annual crossbow competition took place in June.

Crossbows in Bagni di Lucca

Followed by Art in the Park at Villa Fiori.

Art in the park Ponte a Serraglio

A a swim in the cool waters of the Lima River is the thing to do on a hot summer day.

Swim in the Lima River

For those wanting a bit of adventure the exciting Canyon Park opened.

Canyon park adventures

Ponte a Serraglio looks pretty in the summer sun.

Ponte a Serraglio

Trattoria Borghesi reopened its doors to the delight of the locals and visitors alike.

Trattoria Borghesi

Giuliana opened her new shop in Fornoli.

Giuliana's new shop in Fornoli

Pinocchio visited La Villa with some fun for children.

Pinocchio festival La Villa

I discovered the monument to the soldiers shot by Nazis in WWII in the cemetery at Ponte a Serraglio.

Monument to murdered soldiers

Autumn began to appear with mists swirling through the mountains.

Autumn mists in Bagni di LuccaPaul Davies shared his beautiful photos of San Cassiano in autumn with us.

autumn in San Cassiano

…and 3 local photographers, including David Bonaventuri shared the Presepe Vivente in Monti di Villa.

Presepe Vivente

The year has flown by…there is always something wonderful to see and do in Bagni di Lucca. I look forward to much more in 2016.

Presepe Vivente

The Presepe Vivente, or Living Nativity was held this year in Monti di Villa. The whole village is involved and the residents all take their parts. Everyone dresses up and takes on a role from times past.

3 local photographers were on hand to record the wonderful event…a working peace of art and heritage.

David Bonaventuri is from Montefegstesi. Here are his terrific photos. I particularly love his portraits of the fabulous faces.

David Bonaventuri Presepe Vivente

David Bonaventuri Presepe Vivente

Paul Anthony Davies lives in San Cassiano and is clearly passionate about his subject.

Paul Anthony Davies Presepe Vivente

Paul Anthony Davies Presepe Vivente

Valerio Ceccarelli  captured the spirit and the culmination of the event, complete with donkey, 3 wise men, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

Valerio Ceccarelli Presepe Vivente

Valerio Ceccarelli Presepe Vivente

Valerio Ceccarelli Presepe Vivente

 

 

Valerio Ceccarelli Presepe Vivente

Valerio Ceccarelli Presepe Vivente

Valerio Ceccarelli Presepe Vivente

Valerio Ceccarelli Presepe Vivente

Thank you to all 3 photographers for allowing us to share the event.

For more photos of the Presepe Vivente see Bagni di Lucca and Beyond.

Bagni di Lucca Art Festival

The Bagni di Lucca Art Festival was launched on Saturday night. Our trusty Sheila was there to report on the evening.

Lots of people were out and about…it is great to see the road closed and full of art lovers.

Art Festival Bagni di Lucca

Art Festival Bagni di Lucca

Art festival Bagni di Lucca

Here is a roundup of some of the work on show.

Art festival Bagni di Lucca

 

The river installation is great…again. This is always a popular addition to the festival.

Art festival Bagni di Lucca

Thank you Sheila for showing us around the festival…it continues until 10th August.

For more on the festival go to http://www.artfestivalbagnidilucca.org

 

Art festival Bagni di Lucca

Art in the park 2015

On Sunday the eighth annual Art Competition organised by Borgo degli Artisti was held in the park beside Villa Fiori. The day was hot, so most artists set up their easels in the shade of the old trees. Art comp Villa Fiori
Art comp Villa Fiori Art Comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori There was a space set up for the children, and Belinda, to paint a dove or create their own art. Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Lunch is always an important part of the day…always. Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori The artists had to work quickly. Their work had to be completed in time for the judging. Art comp a Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori Art comp Villa Fiori The winners were… Student…Serenella Randazza 1st…Emilio Cavani 2nd…Silvio Bondarda 3rd…Massimo Ricco 4th…Graziana Masetti. A big thank you to Sheila, who took all these great photos for us. Sheila at the Art Comp …and thank you to Borgo degli Artisti for organising the event. They do a wonderful job on the Art Competition every year.

Click here to see the post by Francis with all the paintings and the winners’ works of art.

Market day in Bagni di Lucca

To help celebrate the beginning of summer there was a market in La Villa. Rosi was there with her camera to share the event with us.

A good crowd gathered to enjoy wandering through the many stalls.

Bagni di Lucca market

Bagni di Lucca

Bagni di Lucca market

Bagni di Lucca markets

Bagni di Lucca markets

Bagni di Lucca markets

Bagni di Lucca market

There will be another market on 24th August.

On Saturday 27th June at 8.30pm there will be a procession in Pieve di Monti di Villa to celebrate their patron saint St. John the Baptist. There will be food and dancing to follow…thank you Francis from London to Longoio and Beyond for reminding us.