A wonderful gift for Bagni di Lucca

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Debra Kolkka

Two delightful newcomers to Bagni di Lucca have given a wonderful gift to the community. David Gebhart and Frederick Rayner, the new owners of Villa Elena have donated a grand piano, which will now be housed in the casino, where everyone will have the chance to see and hear it.

The mayor was at the casino to accept the gift on behalf of the community.

There is a lovely story attached to the piano. David’s grandmother, Lula Ethel Aubrey, wanted David to learn to play the piano, so she paid for lessons for him from the age of 5 to 16.

She also knew he would like a piano of his own, so she paid a large deposit for a grand piano for him 40 years ago. Soon after making the down payment she passed away and David had to continue. He did so within 2 years.

David and Frederick had planned to keep their Dallas apartment and the piano was to be left there. A change of mind meant the apartment was sold, and, as they already had a piano in the new house, something had to be done with David’s piano.

They generously decided to donate it to their new community and the casino was chosen as the best place for it to be, where it could be enjoyed by everyone.

David and Frederick have also contributed to the community with the amazing restoration of Villa Elena, one of Bagni di Lucca’s grand houses. I’m sure it looks better now than it ever did. The work has taken a couple of years, providing work for many local trades people and local suppliers. They are a welcome addition to Bagni di Lucca.

Thank you David and Frederick.

The road opens

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Debra Kolkka

The road between Ponte a Serraglio and Fornoli is open! The repair happened amazingly quickly.

The walking bridge is open again too.

Well done to all involved in the repair.

Road repair update

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Debra Kolkka

The repair of the road in Ponte a Serraglio is moving along quickly.

I walked to a position opposite the road work to have a look. It is quite amazing how much work has been done already.

The new retaining wall is growing rapidly. It should not be too much longer before the road is open again.

Road closure in Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Debra Kolkka

Part of the footpath in Ponte a Serraglio has fallen into the river.
The footpath is now closed, along with the pedestrian bridge. The road between the Granaiola turnoff and the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio is also closed to traffic, but open to pedestrians.

This is obviously going to cause traffic problems. Let’s hope work, which should start soon, will not take too long.

Villa Fiori update

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

We will all be able to follow the progress of Villa Fiori now that the developers have an official website, Facebook page and Instagram.

Here are a couple of artist impressions of the new Villa Fiori.

When this is finished it will be an amazing asset to Bagni di Lucca. I look forward to watching it grow.

Here are the links to the website, Facebook and Instagram.

Website…https://www.villa-Fiori.com/

Facebook…https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578960026838

Instagram…https://www.instagram.com/villafiori.official/

Christmas arrives at Auser

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

Auser, the excellent shop for pre-loved items in Ponte a Serraglio has just been stocked with great things for Christmas.

There is also a new collection of household items to choose from.

You will find the shop in Ponte a Serraglio on the road towards Bagni di Lucca Villa, on the river side.

All proceeds from Auser go to charity.

The new opening hours for Auser are…

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 18.00

Treasures in Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on October 12, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

We need to be reminded regularly that we have a great shop in Ponte a Serraglio that sells excellent pre-loved items for your home. Anyone setting up home in Bagni di Lucca is bound to find lots of treasures.

I think you will agree that the shop is arranged very well. Congratulations to the team of people who keep this running. Best of all, the money from sales goes to help families in need.

Shop hours

Tuesday to Saturday….10.00am – 12.30pm…..5.00pm- 7.00pm

A Roman bath at Bernabo Spa

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

Bernabo Spa or Bagno Bernabo, in Ponte a Serraglio has a fabulous Roman bath, among other things. I tried other things on a previous visit, but thought it was time I tried the walk in bath.

The marble bath is filled with warm thermal spring water. Walk in and settle on the seating shelf, lie back and drift off into peaceful relaxation. It is the perfect antidote to a busy life.

I followed the deep water bath with a hot stone massage. It was wonderful and I floated off down the hill to my apartment and felt calm and relaxed for the rest of the day.

There are also smaller marble baths and lots of different treatments.

The spa has a long history. It was named after a Florentine man named Bernabo. He arrived in Bagni di Lucca in the first half of the 16th century and was healed from a serious skin ailment after bathing in the mud of the spa. Fast forward to 1810 when Napoleon’s sister Elisa Baciocchi built the current establishment. It looks much the same today as it did then. It was restored on 2006, brought back to life for lucky local residents and visitors to Bagni di Lucca.

http://www.termebagnobernabo.it

The Bagno Bernabo is open Monday to Sunday 9.00 – 18.00

Via Bagni Caldi 36, Ponte a Serraglio…It is a short, uphill walk from Bar Italia. There are a few parking spots if you have a car.

phone +39 331 171 9014 for information and appointments.

info@termebagnobernabo.it

Villa Fiori renovation

Posted on July 28, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

It is great to see that work has begun on the renovation of Villa Fiori in Ponte a Serraglio. The area around the villa is being cleared. It will be wonderful to watch this beautiful old building come back to life.