Pieve di Controne

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Pieve di Controne is a small village in a beautiful rural setting in the Controneria area. It is 565 metres above sea level and 8 kilometres from the centre of Bagni di Lucca.

From the main road from La Villa towards San Cassiano, take the road through San Gemignano. From there you will drive through a pretty forest for one kilometre until you reach Pieve di Controne.

The parish church is dedicated to San Giovanni Battista. It was previously the church of Santo Stefano which was mentioned in a parchment in 884 AD. It was one of 28 churches founded by San Frediano.

In the 14th century there was a landslide which ruined the entrance, so another was built on the other side. Both facades are visible today, making the church very interesting indeed. It was not open the day I was there. I will return to see the stone font and the organ built in 1773 by Michelangelo Crudelli.

The bell tower was built in the 19th century and has the largest bells in the territory of Bagni di Lucca.

Few people live in Pieve di Controne today. The lucky ones who make it home have some of the best views in the area. There are lovely gardens and areas of cultivation. Come for a walk with me through the village.

I visited Pieve di Controne in late spring. I’m sure it would just as lovely in other seasons, especially autumn when the chestnut trees turn golden…I will be back.

Hands on art at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

In collaboration with Home of Artisans and British artist Carol Newmarch, there was a demonstration of pottery making in Ponte Serraglio as part of the Art Festival. The street was closed and the crowds gathered for a fun and informative display.

The Art Festival is going from strength to strength and it is great to see lots of interest from locals and visitors alike.

Thank you Belinda from Home of Artisans for sharing the photos with us.

I hope you will all drop into Belinda’s gallery to see all of the lovely things created by artists from all over the world.

www.homeofartisans.com

www.artfestivalbagnidilucca.org

carolnewmarch.co.uk

Crasciana

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Crasciana is 799 metres above sea level and is about 12 kilometres from La Villa. The winding road to the village takes you through lovely forests. The chestnut forests close to Crasciana are particularly beautiful.

The name Crasciana comes from the Roman colonist Carsius. The town has a long history, beginning around 800 AD. At one time it had a large population and was important strategically in the years of fighting in the area.

It is delightfully sleepy now, a peaceful and beautiful place to visit. We drove up in late spring and the road was lined with wildflowers.

There are some fine old houses and decorations, narrow streets, and a collection of green doors.

A lovely little piazza in the centre of town makes a great place to gather for a chat.

The gardens are well cared for…there are flowers and vegetables growing all over the village.

As with all of the mountain villages, the views are spectacular, even on a hazy day.

We really enjoyed our walk through Crasciana and spoke to a few of the lucky locals who call it home. One resident pointed out that there is a Crasciana Alta…a good reason for another visit.

To reach Crasciana, take the turn off from the SS12 towards Casabasciana and follow the signs to Crasciana.

Then and now…the casino

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The first public casino in Europe was built in Ponte a Serraglio in 1837. Here is an old postcard of the casino.

The building looks much the same now, but the hotel next door is now a private house.

It is no longer an operating casino and is only open for special events. If you get the chance, go inside to see the beautifully renovated interior.

Colori e Sapori

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The annual art competition will take place this Sunday 13th July in the grounds of the Villa Fiori at Ponte a Serraglio.

The day will begin at 8.00am. Lunch will be at 12.30 with delicious produce from the area. There will be games and painting for children and the competition will be judged at 6.00pm.

It is always a great day. Here are some photos from past years.

Don’t miss Colori e Saperi..head off to Villa Fiori to watch the artists at work and have some summer fun in Ponte a Serraglio.

Flying the flag for Australia in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The Motogiro Italia (vintage motorbike race) came through Bagni di Lucca on Friday. The original Motogiro began in 1914, with 56 riders, only 18 of whom finished the race. It has changed many times over the years and there have been lots of years when the race didn’t go ahead for several reasons.

It is now distance rally, with time trials over several days and competitors are escorted by Polizia over the 1,000 miles (1,637 kilometres)

There were several Australians in the race, including a couple of regular visitors to Ponte a Serraglio, so lots of Australian flags were raised in their honour.

It was great fun to see the old bikes come through Ponte a Serraglio.

…and even more fun to see our friends arrive…and depart.

The race ended a bit later in the day at Montecatini Terme. I’m sure the riders would have been very happy to get off their bikes for the last time.

La Torre

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

La Torre features in the background of many of my photos of Bagni di Lucca. It looks wonderful perched on a hill overlooking Ponte a Serraglio.

La Torre is an agriturismo. It has rooms and apartments where you can stay and a lovely restaurant for everyone.

We had a great time on a warm summer evening at one of the outdoor tables. There is also a cosy place for cold winter nights.

The food was excellent and the service is very friendly.

La Torre is above Fornoli.

www.latorreagriturismo.com

Email…info@latorreagriturismo.com

Telephone…0583 805297

Meet one of the delightful owners.

Hit the target at Villa Ada

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Sunday morning saw a colourful collection of archers in the lovely grounds of Villa Ada in La Villa. The annual crossbow competition took place under the trees. The possibility of showers kept a few people away, but the competitors carried on regardless.

Once the first round of competition was finished the cannon sounded and everyone was off to lunch.

Later in the afternoon the fun began again in the grounds of Villa Web.

It is worth taking a walk around the area even when it is not full of wonderfully dressed characters.

From Via Evangelina Whipple go through the gates leading to the swimming pool. The road is shaded by beautiful old trees.

There are some stone steps beside the road that need exploring…next time.

Art at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Summer is almost with us and soon the Bagni di Lucca Art Festival will begin. Saturday evening saw an exhibition at La Rondine Gallery…just a taste of things to come.

It’s great to see people come out and join in the fun.

Take a look at Bagni di Lucca Art Festival for the programme.

The Eagle’s Nest

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Orrido di Botri is a rocky gorge with steep walls, dug by the cold waters of the Rio Pelago torrent in the Apennines. Some of the walls are as high as 200 metres and it is one of the few natural canyons in Italy. It is open to walkers in summer. You need to be accompanied by a guide and to wear protective clothing and a helmet as the walk is a bit dangerous in parts.

I haven’t been, but I have been to the restaurant at the entrance to the Orrido di Botri. We were there on a cool, slightly damp spring evening and the area is lovely. I can imagine that it would be even better on a hot summer day.

There are outdoor tables near the little rocky stream that runs beside the restaurant.

Because it was a cool evening we sat inside.

The food was delicious and very reasonably priced.

The restaurant is very close to the entrance to Orrido di Botri, which clearly needs a visit.

There are also picnic grounds nearby and if you are really lucky you might see the local goats coming down from their foraging areas in the mountains.

…or cheese being made in the little farmhouse beside the entrance.

Whenever you go I’m sure you will enjoy it. The restaurant has wood fired ovens for pizza…a good reason to return on a sunny day.

The only way into the area right now is via Montefegatesi as the road on the other side of the valley is being repaired, hopefully before summer.

Il Nido dell’Aquila, Localita Ponte a Gaio, 11
http://www.ilnidodell-aquila.com

Telephone…0583 800022

Email…info@ilnidodell-aquila.com

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

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