Dressing up

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Last weekend in Bagni di Lucca was the wonderful event, Shelley a Bagni di Lucca…la poesia e il ballo.

The event was attended by people in costumes of the period when the poet Shelley visited Bagni di Lucca. A crowd gathered at Villa Web and walked to various sites in the area. The photos below were taken by Rita Gualtieri.

There was a dance at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio in the evening.

Look at the Facebook pages of Marco Pistolozzi, Valerio Ceccarelli and Rita Gualtieri for some wonderful photos of the well dressed characters.

I think the enthusiasm the partipants bring to these events is great. I wish I had been there.

Events in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Summer events continue…

The first one celebrates Percy Shelley, the British poet who spent time in Bagni di Lucca with his friend Lord Byron.

On 1st September there will be a concert in the English Cemetery where the renovation of tombs and monuments continues.

Talk to the people at the information centre in La Villa for more information.

Chestnut forest

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

At the end of winter I visited the enchanted chestnut forest on the outskirts of Montefegatesi. See the post HERE. It looked stunning even then and I couldn’t wait to return in spring to see it green and lush.

The road into forest is delightful in spring with wild flowers lining the road.

There are a few reminders of the days when chestnuts were farmed seriously. It must have been a hard life, but the beautiful workplace would have helped the workers get through the day.

The trees are the stars on this drive, or even better, walk.

I’m sure the forest is a cool sanctuary in the heat of the summer.

I look forward to my autumn visit when I return later this year.

What’s happening in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

There is always something happening in Bagni di Lucca. It isn’t always easy to find out where and when they are happening.

Here are some events coming up.

There are outdoor movie nights in Cafaggio, Fornoli. The next one is on 26th July. The movie will be Wonder, with Julia Roberts.

Rifugio Fiori in Pieve di Monti di Villa is also having movie showings. Roman Holiday is showing 26th July.

There is a concert at Villa Web on 27th July.

There is a gastronomic walk in Montefegatesi on Sunday 5th August, beginning at 12.00.

Also in Montefegatesi, on Tuesday 14th August will be Apericena in the piazza in Montefegatesi at 7.00pm. Look on Facebook on the Montefegatesi Official Page for more information.

Best of all, the beautiful pool in La Villa should be open on 28th July for one month. It has been undergoing extensive renovations and will come back better than ever. It will close again at the end of August for more work.

This is an old photo. I look forward to seeing the new pool.

If you have an event coming up in Bagni di Lucca please email me at debrakolkka@gmail.com and I will put it on Bella Bagni di Lucca to help spread the word.

Riolo, then and now

Posted on July 7, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

I love these old photos of the villages of Bagni di Lucca. Sometimes there are big changes, and sometimes not. Here is an old photo of the centre of Riolo.

The road in front of the house in the foreground has been widened to allow cars to get through.

The house now has a pergola in front covered in grape vines.

The path leading up from the piazza looks much the same.

The villages of Bagni di Lucca are all interesting, with their own character.

Rent a bike in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

I was recently asked if it is possible to rent a bike in Bagni di Lucca and I can happily report that a smart young man has begun a business to do just this. It is possible to rent an E-bike and join guided E-bike tours. Drop in and talk to Diego.

E-bike Adventure organises MTB and Pedal Assisted bike tours in our gorgeous mountains. Enjoy breathtaking views from our mountain villages and river valleys.

E-Bike Adventure Tours… Viale Umberto I, Bagni di Lucca Villa

info@ebikeadventuretour.it

http://www.ebikeadventuretour.it

Flowers and art in Lucca

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The annual flower display in conjunction with the celebration for Saint Zita is on in Lucca right now.

As well as the display in front of the San Frediano church, the anfiteatro is full of gorgeous plants available for sale. It is a lovely time to be in the piazza.

The flowers will be in the anfiteatro until Friday this week.

Sculptures by artist Jimenez Deredia are being installed in various locations around Lucca. We found some beside the San Michele church and Piazza San Martino.

The art pieces will be on display until 10th September…plenty of time to find them.

Snow!

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Snow fell in Bagni di Lucca today. It was wonderful to wake up to find everything covered in a blanket of white.

This afternoon it began to rain, just a light drizzle, but enough to wash the snow away. It was pretty while it lasted.

It’s freezing!

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

“The Beast from the East” is certainly making its presence felt in Bagni di Lucca. It was below zero on my balcony at Ponte a Serraglio this morning.

We don’t have deep snow like Rome. There were a few flurries the other day and fierce wind, but no snow on the ground.

After being shut in the house for a couple of days I decided to drive up to Montefegatesi, the highest of the Bagni di Lucca villages at around 840 metres above sea level, in the hope if finding some snow. Apart from a few patches of snow in shaded areas the village was clear. The temperature was -7!

Montefegatesi looks wonderful whatever the weather. Here it is with its winter coat.

There was little snow, but lots of frozen puddles.

The surrounding mountains are covered with snow.

I visited when I was here in autumn, a beautiful season in Montefegatesi.

Soon it will be spring and everything will look different again.

Demidoff Chapel

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Russian prince Nicolai Demidoff donated a hospital to Bagni di Lucca to enable the people of the town to benefit from the thermal waters. It was built in 1825.

He also commissioned the tiny chapel across the stream from the hospital. The Demidoff chapel was designed by Giacomo Marrucci and was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

There was originally a wooden bridge across to the chapel, but it was destroyed by a flood in 1836. The current stone bridge was built soon after by the son of the prince and designed by Giuseppe Pardini.

The little chapel looks stunning in any season, but particularly when covered with snow.

Here is an early photo of the chapel, before the surrounding trees had grown.

The hospital is now Villagio Globale, a popular place for those wishing to enjoy the thermal waters. You will find Villagio Globale and the chapel in Ponte a Serraglio, on the road towards Granaiola.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: travel