Cembroni

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Cembroni is a little hamlet that is part of San Cassiano. Take the road from La Villa and follow the signs for San Cassiano. Just before the town you will see the sign for Cembroni on the left.

The drive up along the tree lined roads is quite lovely.

Cembroni is tiny. There is a little tangle of narrow steeets, stone houses, leafy lanes and gardens.

On a quiet sunny day I met some lazy kitty cats.

Instead of the usual green doors, I found mostly brown ones. I did manage to track down a couple of green ones.

The last flowers and fruits of summer put on a fine show.

I was most impressed by the collection of chimneys and roof tiles.

I would like to take this old railing home and install it on my balcony.

Of course the views from Cembroni are excellent.

Just a handful of families live permanently now in the village. In summer the population swells when ex-residents return to enjoy the peace and quiet in the summer sun. If you are seeking a tranquil refuge from the world, perhaps you should head to Cembroni.

A walk through Pieve di Monti di Villa

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Spring is the perfect time to wander through the lovely villages that make up Bagni di Lucca. Pieve di Monte di Villa is 476 metres above sea level and it offers great views over the surrounding mountains and valleys. Take the road from Ponte a Serraglio, through Granaiola and on to Pieve di Monte di Villa.

Pieve di Monti di Villa has about 100 hundred residents who obviously take great pride in their village. The houses and gardens are beautifully kept, making a walk through the tiny, winding lanes a delight…come for a walk with me, starting at the bar at the top of the town.

The views from the top are spectacular.

The little streets meander through the village. Some of them are quite steep.

The church of San Giovanni Battista was built in the 12th century, rebuilt in 1446 and remodelled between 1760 and 1766.

If you come to Bagni di Lucca, take the time to wander through the mountain villages…each one has something different to offer.

Monti di Villa

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Monti di Villa is one of the higher villages in Bagni di Lucca at almost 600 metres above sea level. It is made up of 3 hamlets…Lugnano, the higest, Bugnano, the abandoned village, and Riolo. Today about 100 people live in Monti di Villa.

Lugnano, which is signposted Monti di Villa, sits along a ridge with mountains forming an impressive backdrop.

A narrow path winds its way through the village. Come for a walk to see Monti di Villa.

On one side of the village there are views across Bagni di Lucca, Lugliano is visible in the distance.

There are some pretty houses in Monti di Villa.

I love this staircase.

I spotted some interesting decorations.

I found a wonderful collection of doorways.

As usual I made friends with a couple of village cats.

On the other side of Monti di Villa there are views across to Veteglia and the mountains.

There is a large church at the bottom of the village. It was closed or I would have taken you inside.

There was a single yellow rose and a bush covered in brightly covered berries of some kind.

The village will look completely different in a few weeks when spring begins.

Lucchio

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Lucchio, at 780 metres above sea level, is one of the higher villages of Bagni di Lucca. Stone houses cling to the side of the mountain, making you wonder how on earth they were built all those years ago.

There is a ruin of a fortress at the top of the village. The fortress successfully defended the town against invaders in the centuries of fighting in the area.

We didn’t make it to the very top….next time

Of course there are magnificent views from the village.

Not many people live in Lucchio now, but the village is well preserved and there are some lovely buildings and well kept gardens. We spent an hour or 2 wandering (slowly, these streets are steep ) It is said that the hens in Lucchio lays square eggs to prevent them from rolling down the hill.

Don’t overlook Lucchio in your travels in Bagni di Lucca. It is the last village on the way to Abetone.

Thank you Italy Magazine for choosing Lucchio as the Best Single Travel Post in the Blogger Awards and thank you to all those who voted for Bella Bagni di Lucca.

Here are some other posts on Bella Bagni di Lucca you might find interesting.

An Old Tradition in Bagni di Lucca

A Pool with a View

Medieval Archery Competition

Meet Tina from Ponte a Serraglio

The Villages of Bagni di Lucca

My 2012 in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

I have spent 6 months in Bagni di Lucca this year. I have been to most of the villages that make up our community. Here is a look back over the year.

I arrived in February 2012 to very cold weather. There had been heavy snow in early February and there was still a little left when I arrived.

The edges of the river in front of my house froze.

I love winter in Bagni di Lucca, but when spring arrives it is magical.

There was some late snow in the mountains.

As the weather warmed up I had a great time visiting the mountain villages.

Sunset in Casabasciana.

The beginning of spring in Fornoli.

Montefegatesi in the spring sunshine.

A doorway in Granaiola.

Colle shines in the spring sun.

The pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio look cheerful.

The memorial for the fallen patriots in La Villa.

Geese in Longoio out for a walk.

Early morning at Ponte a Serraglio.

Looking down on Ponte a Serraglio.

Pears ripening in the spring sun.

The view from Bagni Caldi.

Early summer in Lugliano.

The view from upper Vico Pancellorum.

Picking cherries in Pieve di Monti di Villa.

Decorating the piazza in Brandeglio.

The gorgeous pool in La Villa.

The archery competition in La Villa.

Summer geraniums.

The beginning of autumn.

Grapevines near Longoio.

Lucchio appearing between the trees.

Chestnut time.

Autumn at the old station in Fornoli.

Porcini mushroom time.

The first snow of the season.

I left just as heavy rain began to fall in Bagni di Lucca.

My favourite post of the year was about Renzo, a shepherd we met tending his sheep. I love these chance encounters with Bagni di Lucca locals. Most are happy to take the time to talk about their lives in this gorgeous part of the world.

The most popular post was the one called Meet Emilio Ferrari. The post was Freshly Pressed ( featured by WordPress) early in the year. Emilio and his lovely wife Alfa (they drive a Fiat) has been read by thousands of people all over the world.

I will be back in Bagni di Lucca soon…..can’t wait.

Cocciglia

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Legend has it that Cocciglia was built on land owned by a Roman settler named Cocilius. Only about 80 people now live in the village. It was once an important fortified town which guarded the road leading to Controneria, further up the mountain.
There is a short road to the village from the Brennero Road. On the way is a small church with an impressive bell tower.

The village comes into view just around the corner from the church.

There is also a view across to Pallegio.

There is a walking path opposite the church which appears to lead to the village above.

I took the easy option and drove up the road to the tiny parking area just outside Cocciglia. Come for a walk through the little village.

The church is right at the top of the village.

This is the stone over the door to the church.

On the way up to the church is this quaint statue.

I found the next colourful image on the front of a house.

I saw no people on my walk, but the village is obviously lived in. There are pretty gardens and the houses are in good repair.

The village is no longer isolated, but I can’t help thinking about the lives of people who lived here centuries ago. This place is tiny and life must have been tough. I hope the residents from the past occasionally had time to sit back and enjoy the view.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: mountain villages in Tuscany