Tag Archives: Ponte a Serraglio

Bagni di Lucca in 1839

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Richard Hudson wrote to me recently to share drawings and paintings his great-great-great aunt Maria Hudson (1819 – 1906) created while she was staying in Bagni di Lucca in July 1839. She was travelling in France and Italy with her parents.

Richard has taken photos of the art in the sketch book of his aunt and has kindly allowed me to share them. He would love to know more about the locations.

The first sketch shows Bagni Caldi at the top with another spa below.

The others show Ponte a Serraglio and La Villa. The church is clear in the sketch and I can see my building beside the bridge and, I think, the casino, which would have been just a few years old.

In the first painting on the bottom left is a hotel called Gran Hotel du Pelican. Does anyone know something about that?

I think these impressions of Bagni di Lucca are wonderful. I am delighted that Richard shared them. Please send any ideas you have about them.

Beautiful spring

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Spring has arrived and the trees are turning green.

I love the tiglio trees that form a green tunnel in summer on the roads leading to Bagni di Lucca. They are beginning to grow new spring leaves now.
Trees along the river are turning green.

 


Wisteria is flowering.

Wild flowers are popping up.

The poor pansies on the bridge have been ruined by the fierce wind.

The ones in the hanging baskets have fared better.

Spring is a wonderful time of the year!

A wonderful gift for Bagni di Lucca

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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.

 

Road closure in Ponte a Serraglio

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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

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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

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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

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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