The park in La Villa

The lovely park in La Villa was devastated earlier this year when a tornado ripped through it, tearing up several of the old trees. Some were hundreds of years old.

The mess has been cleaned up, but it looks a bit bare.

Park La Villa

Park La Villa

Park La Villa

I have heard there have been fund raising efforts to collect money to help rehabilitate the park. I look forward to seeing the results. It will be great to see some new trees planted.

Click here, here and here to see the park after the tornado.

Trattoria Borghesi

Trattoria Borghesi  was an institution in Bagni di Lucca for many years and everyone was disappointed when it closed a couple of years ago.

So when it reopened earlier this year there was much excitement. I missed the opening but recently went for lunch. Like many places in the area, a workman’s lunch for a set price is offered. For €11 you get first course, second course, side dish, water, wine and coffee.

Trattoria Borghese

We chose the chicken, torta salata, vegetables and pasta.

Chicken scallopina

Torta salata

Vegetables Trattoria Borghese

Pasta Trattoria Borghese

On another occasion there was soup, past with peas, ham and tomato, roast beef and eggplant…all delicious.

Trattoria Borghese

Trattoria Borghese

Trattoria Borghese

Trattoria Borghese

The food was very good and the service excellent.

The bar and restaurant have been renovated and look very clean and modern.

Trattoria Borghese

Trattoria Borghese

Trattoria Borghese

I’m sure Trattoria Borghesi is once again going to be very popular.

Trattoria Borghesi…85 Via Umberto I, La Villa.

 

18th July 1944

There is a beautiful, if somewhat neglected, building in Ponte a Serraglio. It was at one time the Hotel de Russie. The building was designed by Giuseppe Pardini and built in 1838.  It is now apartments.

Hotel de Russia Ponte a Serraglio

On the side of the building is a plaque stating that 13 partisans were held in the building during WWII when the building became Nazi headquarters.

Plaque at Ponte a Serraglio

The men were shot on 18th July 1944. There is a memorial in the cemetery in Ponte a Serraglio.

Memorial for murdered soldiers

Memorial for murdered soldiers

Behind the memorial is a narrow path. At the back of the memorial is another one.

Memorial for murdered soldiers

Memorial for murdered soldiers

I found these names on small plaques on the wall.

Murdered soldier memorial

Murdered soldier memorial

Murdered soldier memorial

Murdered soldier memorial

Murdered soldier memorial

Murdered soldier memorial Murdered soldier memorial

Murdered soldier memorial

What a sad and lonely place it is, reflecting the misery and futility of war.