It is cold in Bagni di Lucca…it is the middle of winter after all.
The Lima River is full of water after recent rain and snow.
The ducks…including the white one and the goose…seem to be coping with the cold.
There is snow on the mountains around us.
…and we have been having some beautiful sunsets.
Winter is a lovely time to be in Bagni di Lucca.
The neo-classical building sits beside the lovely Camaione stream, which enters the nearby Lima River at Ponte a Serraglio.
The Demidoff Temple was built in 1831 by grateful Russian Prince, Nicolaj Demidoff, who was delighted to have his gout cured in the thermal waters of Bagni di Lucca. The round building with 4 pillars was designed by architect Giacomo Marracci. It followed the building in 1826 of the Demidoff Hospital, joined by a bridge to the temple. The hospital is now the Villaggio Globale, a holistic health centre.
Lucchio, at 780 metres above sea level, is one of the higher villages of Bagni di Lucca. Stone houses cling to the side of the mountain, making you wonder how on earth they were built all those years ago.
There is a ruin of a fortress at the top of the village. The fortress successfully defended the town against invaders in the centuries of fighting in the area.
We didn’t make it to the very top….next time
Of course there are magnificent views from the village.
Not many people live in Lucchio now, but the village is well preserved and there are some lovely buildings and well kept gardens. We spent an hour or 2 wandering (slowly, these streets are steep ) It is said that the hens in Lucchio lays square eggs to prevent them from rolling down the hill.
Don’t overlook Lucchio in your travels in Bagni di Lucca. It is the last village on the way to Abetone.
Thank you Italy Magazine for choosing Lucchio as the Best Single Travel Post in the Blogger Awards and thank you to all those who voted for Bella Bagni di Lucca.
Here are some other posts on Bella Bagni di Lucca you might find interesting.
An Old Tradition in Bagni di Lucca
Teatro Accademio in Bagni di Lucca hosted a fun night recently. Awards were presented to the creators of the best Presepe and Mailart.
The lovely theatre was full.
The awards were presented by members of the Bagni di Lucca Proloco and Borgo degli Artisti.
Afterwards members of Croce Rossa performed Pinocchio.
Here are some of the wonderful Mailart entries.
At the end of the evening Befana came down on stage from above and went out into the square in front of the theatre to pose with the children for photos. The staff from Croce Rossa distributed stockings filled with goodies for the children.
Thank you to Morena Guarnaschelli for the photos and details of the evening.
I will be in Bagni di Lucca myself soon to take part in local activities…can’t wait.
Italian children are very lucky around Christmas time, they have Befana as well as Babbo Natale (Father Christmas).
Legend has it that many years ago, on the night of 5th January, the 3 Kings were on their way to see baby Jesus. They became lost and stopped to ask directions. They knocked on the door of an old lady. The Kings asked the lady (who became known as Befana) if she knew the way to Bethlehem. She gave them directions, but didn’t go with them.
Later on she regretted her decision not to go to see baby Jesus. She now flies around on her broomstick offering cakes and sweets to children in the hope that one of them will be the baby Jesus.
It is now a tradition in Italy that Befana comes down the chimney on the night before Epiphany (6th january) and fills stockings with sweets and presents. Adults usually give small gifts to each other as well.
In Bagni di Lucca a little house was built for Santa Claus in the Piazza del Comune, and after Christmas it was made into a house for Befana. I’m sure she found it very comfortable.
Congratulations to all those involved in building this beautiful cottage for Befana. I wish I had been in Bagni di Lucca to see it.
Thank you to Morena Guarnaschelli for sending the photos to me so I could share them with you on the blog.
On a gorgeous autumn day Heather Jarman and I went to the beautiful Garfagnana village of Sillico to have lunch at the lovely restaurant Locanda Belvedere.
The chef, Roberta, cooked a delicious lunch for our group.
It was still warm enough to sit on then outside terrace.
The different breads were made using spelt and chestnut flour.
We began with a ricotta and leek torte.
And fried ricotta balls and pasta fritta.
There were 2 types of pasta…..with mushrooms and a ragu.
The waiter brought a tray of locally collected mushrooms for us to see.
And then we ate the cooked mushrooms as a side dish with our rabbit.
There was a selection of crostini to have with our coffee.
We then headed up the hill to see some of Sillico and to find the museum which was kindly opened just for us.
The museum is in a building beside the church and is full of interesting collections from the distant and not so distant past.
There is an enormous collection of clocks, including this replica of one designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
Then is was time to stand at the top of the village to admire the view over the Garfagana.
You will need to book at Locanda Belvedere…..call Roberta or Clara……(39) 0583 662173
The lovely little theatre in La Villa was modelled on La Scala in Milan…..on a much smaller scale of course.
The interior is very pretty.
It is similar to La Scala in that it is the same circular shape. Here is a look at the original.
It would be a really good idea if the Bagni di Lucca theatre was open occasionally to show visitors the interior. There are often concerts held there…check with the information office for productions.
I have spent 6 months in Bagni di Lucca this year. I have been to most of the villages that make up our community. Here is a look back over the year.
I arrived in February 2012 to very cold weather. There had been heavy snow in early February and there was still a little left when I arrived.
The edges of the river in front of my house froze.
I love winter in Bagni di Lucca, but when spring arrives it is magical.
There was some late snow in the mountains.
As the weather warmed up I had a great time visiting the mountain villages.
Sunset in Casabasciana.
The beginning of spring in Fornoli.
Montefegatesi in the spring sunshine.
A doorway in Granaiola.
Colle shines in the spring sun.
The pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio look cheerful.
The memorial for the fallen patriots in La Villa.
Geese in Longoio out for a walk.
Early morning at Ponte a Serraglio.
Looking down on Ponte a Serraglio.
Pears ripening in the spring sun.
The view from Bagni Caldi.
Early summer in Lugliano.
The view from upper Vico Pancellorum.
Picking cherries in Pieve di Monti di Villa.
Decorating the piazza in Brandeglio.
The gorgeous pool in La Villa.
The archery competition in La Villa.
Summer geraniums.
The beginning of autumn.
Grapevines near Longoio.
Lucchio appearing between the trees.
Chestnut time.
Autumn at the old station in Fornoli.
Porcini mushroom time.
The first snow of the season.
I left just as heavy rain began to fall in Bagni di Lucca.
My favourite post of the year was about Renzo, a shepherd we met tending his sheep. I love these chance encounters with Bagni di Lucca locals. Most are happy to take the time to talk about their lives in this gorgeous part of the world.
The most popular post was the one called Meet Emilio Ferrari. The post was Freshly Pressed ( featured by WordPress) early in the year. Emilio and his lovely wife Alfa (they drive a Fiat) has been read by thousands of people all over the world.
I will be back in Bagni di Lucca soon…..can’t wait.
Lots of fun things have been happening in Bagni di Lucca for Christmas. I am in sunny Australia now, but luckily for us Morena from Borgo degli Artisti has been taking photos of events around town.
There has been a presepe exhibition at the Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa. Bagni di Lucca has a history of making presepe…nativity scenes.
An old mould is on display to show how the statues are made.
A couple of wonderful old paintings are included in the exhibition.
A special presepe has been created by Fontanini, a local company still making presepe, and is in place on the balcony of Circolo dei Forestieri.
The exhibition will be on display for another couple of weeks…go upstairs at the Circolo dei Forestieri if you are in the area.
A wonderful event took place in the area in front of Circolo dei Forestieri with the making of an enormous necci. The fires were lit.
The giant pans were put in place.
The necci batter was spread on the pan.
The top of the pan was put on and heat applied.
Soon the necci was ready to eat.
I can’t tell you how much I wish I had been there for this. I love it when the whole community gets involved.
Paula Chesterman has been busy organising a choir and with the help of enthusiastic locals, an hour of hymns and readings from the bible took place the other night.
Mulled wine and mince pies were served afterwards…well deserved.
The choir will meet again in March. Click here for more information.
Morena has been busy with the children of the village with a workshop on elf making. The children then designed a ‘mailart’ envelope with stamp and letters were written to Santa. The best 5 envelopes will awarded on 5th January at the theatre in La Villa.
![4752_10151264678234691_725687526_n[1]-Elves](https://bellabagnidilucca.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/4752_10151264678234691_725687526_n1-elves.jpg?w=584 "Bagni di Lucca artists")
Thank you Morena for being roving reporter for the blog and sharing wonderful local activities with us.
Legend has it that Cocciglia was built on land owned by a Roman settler named Cocilius. Only about 80 people now live in the village. It was once an important fortified town which guarded the road leading to Controneria, further up the mountain.
There is a short road to the village from the Brennero Road. On the way is a small church with an impressive bell tower.
The village comes into view just around the corner from the church.
There is also a view across to Pallegio.
There is a walking path opposite the church which appears to lead to the village above.
I took the easy option and drove up the road to the tiny parking area just outside Cocciglia. Come for a walk through the little village.
The church is right at the top of the village.
This is the stone over the door to the church.
On the way up to the church is this quaint statue.
I found the next colourful image on the front of a house.
I saw no people on my walk, but the village is obviously lived in. There are pretty gardens and the houses are in good repair.
The village is no longer isolated, but I can’t help thinking about the lives of people who lived here centuries ago. This place is tiny and life must have been tough. I hope the residents from the past occasionally had time to sit back and enjoy the view.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 