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.

…and a stroll through Monti di Villa.

There was an art gallery showing.

…and a religious procession.

The annual crossbow competition took place in June.

Followed by Art in the Park at Villa Fiori.

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

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

Ponte a Serraglio looks pretty in the summer sun.

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

Giuliana opened her new shop in Fornoli.

Pinocchio visited La Villa with some fun for children.

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

Autumn began to appear with mists swirling through the mountains.

Paul Davies shared his beautiful photos of San Cassiano in autumn with us.

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

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.

Merry Christmas from Bagni di Lucca

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I wish I was in Bagni di Lucca for Christmas. Perhaps it will snow…I love it when it snows.

I took these photos in winter 2013 when we had deep snow for a few days.

Perhaps it will happen again this winter.

Merry Christmas to all those who follow the blog. Thank you for coming along for the ride.

Thank you especially to the people who take the time to leave comments. There wouldn’t be much incentive to continue without the nice things you say. It is even more fun to meet followers when they visit Bagni di Lucca, and this is happening more and more.

One of the reasons I write Bella Bagni di Lucca is to share our beautiful collection of villages with the world. Quite a few people have visited our area because of the blog, which is great.

Please share the posts with people you know and maybe we can encourage a few more visitors in 2016…it is fast approaching.

Have a great Christmas!

La Lira

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

La Lira is a cheap and cheerful restaurant in La Villa. They do a great pizza, pasta, excellent seafood, and other delicious things.

It is a popular place for groups to meet for a fun night.

La Lira is beside the car park in La Villa…you can’t miss it.

Two Ponte ladies

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

There are two sculptures in the church yard at Ponte a Serraglio. They are in the garden beside the road, tucked quietly under trees.

I wonder if anyone notices them.

Presepe Vivente

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

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.

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

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

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.

A little chapel

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

On the road into Ponte a Serraglio (SS Brennero) there is a little chapel…just in front of the parked silver car on the left.

I have driven and walked past it for years and have never noticed it until recently.

It is is reasonable condition.

It looks quite pretty from the front.

There is a semicircular seat in the front, a nice place to rest before visiting the chapel.

The interior is well kept.

Beside it is a ruin…a wall and a set of steps. I wonder what that was.

Does anyone know anything about the chapel?

Then and now…Elisa Baciocchi’s house

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon’s sister, liked to spend her summers in Bagni di Lucca, where the air was cooler and fresher than in Lucca.

She had the road from Lucca upgraded and built a house above La Villa in 1811.

It is still there and in quite good condition. I think it has been converted to apartments.

It is good to see one of the old buildings being looked after.

Autumn in San Cassiano

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

San Cassiano is a beautiful village at any time, but in autumn it is especially lovely. Photographer and resident Paul Anthony Davies has been out and about with his camera…with excellent results.

The cross below was blown down from the church in the high winds in March and is now making a statement on the ground.

The weather has been unseasonably warm in November, causing confusion with some of the bulbs, which have appeared at the wrong time.

Thank you Paul, for taking us on an autumn tour of San Cassiano.

The park in La Villa

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The lovely park in La Villa was devastated earlier this year when a tornado ripped through it, tearing up several of the old trees. Some were hundreds of years old.

The mess has been cleaned up, but it looks a bit bare.

I have heard there have been fund raising efforts to collect money to help rehabilitate the park. I look forward to seeing the results. It will be great to see some new trees planted.

Click here, here and here to see the park after the tornado.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: photography