What to do with the casino?

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Bagni di Lucca has the first purpose built casino in Europe. It was built in 1837 and operated as a casino until 1945.

It was restored about 14 years ago and is stunning inside. The work was being done when I first arrived in Ponte a Serraglio and I enjoyed watching the workmen bring the beautiful interior back to life.

It was open for some time as the information centre for Bagni di Lucca. The wonderful Leda worked there and took visitors on guided tours throughout the building, telling tales of times gone by when Puccini and Liszt played for guests.

Now it is open only for events, which seems a pity. Many visitors coming to Bagni di Lucca would like to see inside and ask constantly why it is not open to the public.

There is a thought by many residents that it would be a good idea to reopen it as a visitor and information centre. That way it would be open to the public and be a place of interest. I have been asked by some to see if this would be popular.

What do you think?

If you agree that it would be a good idea to have the casino building open and put to use why not let the Comune know? Drop in and have a chat if you live in the area or send them an email. The website is http://comunebagnidilucca.com

A change in the weather

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

We have had a dramatic change in the weather. The lovely sunny days gave way to torrential rain, howling wind, thunder and lightning in the last couple of days.

The river has turned brown and is moving quickly.

The first showers made for some lovely autumn scenes.

I hope the weather is fine for these 2 events coming up in Bagni di Lucca.

The sun is out now. Let’s hope it lasts for a while.

Yoga lessons at Bar Italia

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The newly renovated Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio is now home to yoga lessons held by Heather Newmarch.

Heather is a qualified personal trainer, yoga instructor (Hatha and Ashtanga), qualified in sports nutrition and is a Reiki Master. She specialises in rehabilitation after injuries. She owned and ran a gym in the U.K. before moving to Bagni di Lucca. She enjoys helping people reach their health and fitness goals.

Heather says that yoga is great for flexibility, strength, stress relief and general wellbeing. She prefers to teach small groups to enable personal attention and to allow freedom of movement.

Yoga classes are held in the large room above the bar every Tuesday and Thursday at 9.00am and each session is one hour. Yoga mats are provided. All levels are catered for and beginners are welcome.

After classes people are welcome to stay on and socialise at the bar and enjoy a coffee or tea. I would certainly add one of Annalisa’s delicious pastries or sandwiches.

Please contact Heather at heather@newmarch.co if you wish to enquire about lessons. Each lesson costs €10.

A day for artists

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The annual art competition organised by Borgo degli Artisti will take place in Villa Fiori park on 8th July.

Artists need to be at Villa Fiori at 8.00am ready to start painting. Work must be finished by 4.00pm and the judging will be at 5.30pm.

Lunch will be held in the park at 12.30pm at a cost of €15. You will need to book for this.

There will be art lessons for children.

This is a fun day for everyone and there are generous prizes for winning artists.

For more information call Morena…320 1107330

Geraniums at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The geraniums on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio are thriving this year.

I planted them last month and have been taking care of them. There has been some rain, which makes things easier.

I leave for Australia soon and won’t be back until autumn. Annalisa from Bar Italia has kindly offered to let us use her tap beside the bar to water the flowers on the bridge.

I will leave a watering can at the bar. It would be great if anyone interested in keeping the bridge looking good could help out with watering.

Thank you in advance.

WWII in Villa Fiori Park

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

I walked across the passerella in Ponte a Serraglio bright and early on Saturday morning to the Villa Fiori Park.

The park had been set up to resemble a military camp. Tents, supplies were already there and some vehicles, with more to come.

These are well kept vehicles.

The soldiers looked pretty good too.

I think being involved in a war would be wretched. I would like to think that occasionally in the misery, soldiers might have actually enjoyed a lovely spring day away from battle grounds in a green space like this. It is possible that they did, Bagni di Lucca was heavily involved in the fighting. There is still evidence of the Gothic Line, the most northerly of the defence lines built by the Germans, in the area.

This excellent display was organised by the Ass.ne Linea Gotica della Lucchesia.

Memories of WWII this weekend

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

This weekend there will be an event at Villa Fiori park in Ponte a Serraglio…memories of the war, by the Linea Gottica Association. A documentary about the Lucca area in WWII will be shown at the casino at 6.00pm on Saturday.

I don’t have a lot of information other than the poster, but it should be interesting.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Ponte a Serraglio