A win for Bagni di Lucca

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I am happy to let you know that Bella Bagni di Lucca was awarded Runner Up for Best Single Art and Culture Post for the post called An old tradition in Bagni di Lucca.

The post is about Arte Barsanti, a small, family owned company that makes figurines. It has been in business for more than 100 years. I am delighted that the win will focus attention on this wonderful tradition.

I found out a couple of days ago, but the weather bomb (tornado) seemed a bit more important. This are getting back to normal. Some houses are still without power, but I hope this will soon be fixed. Many roofs will need to be repaired and the fallen trees will all need to be cleared. It will take some time.

The weather has been fine since the wind, which is good, we don’t need any rain just yet.

The village looked so calm the night after the wind, it seemed difficult to believe it happened at all.

A tornado in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

If you read my other blog, Bagni di Lucca and Beyond, you will know that we had a tornado in Bagni di Lucca on Wednesday night. Many residents would have spent a terrifying night listening to the fierce wind tearing up trees and tiles from their roofs.

La Villa was very badly hit and the beautiful little park has been devasted. Trees that are hundreds of years old have been uprooted and snapped off.

The clean up was quick and efficient in La Villa. The broken tiles have all been cleaned up from the streets and the fallen trees are being cut into smaller pieces for removal.

I went for a walk through La Villa and was pleased to see that things were back in order. There is some roof damage in several buildings, including Circolo dei Forestieri, the pharmacy and Villa Ada.

Lots of trees are down in the garden on Villa Ada, but the roof damage doesn’t look as bad from the back of the building.

The trees have been removed from the church in Corsena.

A crane is at work in the nearby cemetery to help with the clean up.

Many roads to the outlying villages are cut by fallen trees. There is going to be lots of work for woodcutters for quite some time cleaning up the mess.

It was a beautiful day here today, the sun was shining and it almost felt like a spring day. It is hard to believe that this strange weather event happened at all.

It has come to my attention that the villages of Gombereto, Veteglia, San Gemignano, San Cassiano and Pieve di Controne have been badly damaged. Francis has been to the area and has some photos and news of the damage.

Click here and here to see his posts.

12 years ago

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Today, 1st March, is the twelfth anniversary of the first time we stood on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio and decided Bagni di Lucca was where we wanted to buy our little piece of Italy.

A lot of water has passed under the Ponte since then, but I can safely say that it was an excellent decision. We love the village and enjoy spending several months a year here. It really is our second home.

I celebrated by planted pansies on the bridge with the help of the newest Australian to buy a house at Ponte a Serraglio…meet Paul.

…and the pansies. Daffodils are also making an appearance. I was hoping for some sun to help them along…maybe tomorrow.

Thanks Ponte a Serraglio for making us welcome.

Faces at the Carnevale

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

On Sunday I wanted to be in 2 places at once. There was a mini Carnevale at Fornoli at the same time as the one in Viareggio. I went early to the one in Fornoli hoping to get some photos, but there was nothing happening so I unfortunately I have nothing to show you.

It was the last day time parade in Viareggio and it was a gorgeous day, so I headed off with a group of friends to join in the fun. I took hundreds of photos and have done a couple of posts. In this one I will concentrate on the people who dress up to take part, either as part of the exhibition or the enthusiastic audience. I love the way people get involved and make the event the exciting happening that it is.

Whole families go along to have fun. It is a great day…the result of huge amounts of work by many people. I’m sure next year is already being worked on. I hope I will be there to see it.

Go to Bagni di Lucca and Beyond to see more on the floats in the parade.

The Italy Magazine Blog Awards

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I am delighted to tell you that Bella Bagni di Lucca has been shortlisted again this year for the Italy Magazine Blog Awards.

This is largely because lots of you took the time to nominate the blog, thank you very much.

Two blog posts have been shortlisted and now I would like to once again ask for your help. I would love it if you would vote for the posts. Bella Bagni di Lucca won a category last year and new readers came all year from Italy Magazine…more people who get to know about Bagni di Lucca.

An old tradition in Bagni di Lucca is shortlisted in the Best Single Art and Culture Single Post. Click here to vote for the post. Just click on the black area below the blog name.

Pinocchio Park is shortlisted in the Best Single Travel Post. Click here to vote for the post.

My other blog, Bagni di Lucca and Beyond, has also been shortlisted for a post called Massacre at Sant’Anna di Stazzema. Click here to vote for the post.

I have already mentioned the blog awards on Bagni di Lucca and Beyond, so if you have already seen this and have voted, thank you very much.

Voting closes on 27th February and the winners will be announced on 3rd March. I will be sure to let you know what happens.

The Gorgeous Garzoni Garden

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

In the nearby village of Collodi is the Garzoni Garden and Butterfly House. The garden was originally begun around 1652 by the Garzoni family when they converted an old castle into an impressive Baroque style 4 story house with belvedere tower and roof statues.

At the entrance is a delightful series of photos of past guests.

The garden was originally in the Italian style. In the 18th century it was embellished with the addition of terraces, balustrades, mazes, waterfalls, fountains, grottoes and statuary. It was designed by Ottavio Diodati. The garden’s reputation spread all over Europe and influenced many others.

There are some marvellous decorations.

A lovely feature of the garden is the Butterfly House. It is a fairly recent addition. The estate was sold by the Garzoni family in the 1920s. It passed through several owners in sequence and its existence became precarious. Thanks to the current owner in collaboration with the Fondazione Carlo Collodi and the Sviluppo Turistico Collodi Ltd, it gained back its former glory, and the butterfly house was added.

I braved the awful heat and humidity and wiped the steam from my camera lens to take photos of the flowers, birds and butterflies.

I visited the garden on a sunny autumn day. Garzoni Garden is open all year, but the Butterfly House closes in winter.

It is a relatively easy drive from Bagni di Lucca. Take the road to Benabbio and keep going down the other side of the mountain towards Collodi. There is a big car park outside Pinocchio Park and the gardens are a short walk from there.

Ski at Abetone

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Our trusty reporter Belinda has been out and about again, this time skiing at Abetone.

I will hand you over to Belinda.

We decided to go skiing when we heard there had been a dump of snow at Abetone. The weather wasn’t the best but we headed off along the 40 kilometres of narrow and winding road up the mountain from Bagni di Lucca. Those who suffer from car sickness might like to take precautions.

Once you reach the Abetone main village car park you are about 1400 metres above sea level. At this parking spot you get yourself ready for the day.

Obligatory coffee shop…

Ski hire shop…

Ski school, if you are looking for lessons…

Information centre where you can get your ski pass for $26 per person for the entire day – quite a bargain really.

A tabacchi and bar…if needed.

Then pack the car with your equipment and drive a further 2 minites to park close to the main gondola lift that takes you up to Mt Gomita. It is much easier to park right next to the lift so you only have to walk up a few stairs.

Take the time to check the ski runs.

We arrived at the top to find pretty bad weather…everything had frostbite.

Despite the weather we managed some good runs.

…followed by a stop at a Rifugio for a much deserved Bombardino, a very special hot drink to be enjoyed on the slopes. It contains cream, zabaglione, brandy and coffee…highly recommended.

If you were looking for somewhere to stay, Hotel Regina looks quaint.

Thank you Belinda and friends for sharing you day of skiing at Abetone.

I have a tip to add to Belinda’s words. Don’t go to Abetone on weekends. It is very crowded and you probably won’t get anywhere near the carpark. On weekdays it is much better and you get the slopes pretty much to yourself.

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.