The annual spring walk around Bagni di Lucca will take place on Monday 2nd April. You can either walk 2, 4, 10, 18 or 20 kilometres, beginning in Fornoli. You can begin the walk between 7.30am and 8.30am.
This is a fun way to see a different side of Bagni di Lucca. Get a group of friends together and chose your walk. Refreshments are provided along the way and the tracks are well marked.
For more information phone 0583 87932 or 349 6953500
Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio has been closed for extensive renovations. I can happily report that it will reopen this Saturday, 24th March.
There will be opening celebrations from 5.00pm. I hope everyone will come along to wish Annalisa and her team the best for the new start.
This an old photo. There will lots more of the new bar after the opening.
One of the things I really enjoy about Bagni di Lucca is occasionally coming across traditional farming activities.
In the area behind Montefegatesi on the way to Orrido di Botri it is not unusual to come across a large herd of goats, with the occasional sheep, being brought in for the evening after a day foraging in the forest.
It doesn’t even matter when the road is taken over for a while.
These goats are milked to make cheese, a labour of love for the couple responsible. I wonder if young people will step up to keep these jobs alive or will they eventually be lost.
If you drive, or walk, past Montefegatesi on the way to Orrido di Botri you will find yourself in another world. Ancient forests of chestnut, oak and beech trees shrouded in mist seem from another time and place. It wouldn’t have surprised me if a goblin had dashed out from a hollow tree.
There are the remains of stone metati, chestnut drying huts, unused for decades.
If only the trees could talk and share their stories of the people who once lived and worked here, hard lives, but at times it must have been a beautiful place to work.
I think the trees look beautiful on a cold winter day, but I will be back in spring to see them again when the green leaves appear.
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.
“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.
The drive into Ponte a Serraglio from Fornoli beneath the gorgeous Tiglio trees is a delight. It is a wonderful introduction to the villages of Bagni di Lucca.
In winter the bare branches form a dramatic arch against the winter sky.
In spring the new leaves appear as if by magic and a beautiful tunnel appears to filter the sunlight.
In autumn the leaves turn gold and fall to the ground. I love driving or walking through with the golden leaves falling around me.
Now it seems they might be cut down. The trees are old and some may be diseased. I really hope this doesn’t happen. This Tiglio tunnel is one of the loveliest things in Bagni di Lucca.
I hope a better solution can be found than removing all of the trees. Surely the best trees can be retained and some new ones planted? It just wouldn’t be the same without them.
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.
Bar Italia has been the heart of Ponte a Serraglio for decades. It was the first place I went to when I arrived in the village almost 15 years ago. I go there, or to Il Monaco, both belonging to hardworking Annalisa, every day when I am in my apartment. Annalisa is ably helped by her sister Suzanna and her team.
Bar Italia has closed for a little while for renovations. Luckily, Il Monaco will take over until the new bar is ready. I don’t know where I would be without my morning coffee and sfoglia.
There was a send off on the last night of the old bar and friends gathered for the party. I was not there, but others have taken photos to share. Thank you Paola, Paul and Collette.
The plans for the new bar were discussed.
Here is a sneak peek at the new chairs.
Several people chipped in to begin the demolishing of the old bar.
Last to go was the coffee machine.
I hope the lovely lady stays.
I wish Annalisa the very best and look forward to the brand new bar. I will be there for the grand opening. I’m sure there will be another party and everyone will be invited.
I love to see Lucchio clinging to its mountain. Here it is in rain and mist in autumn.
When I return to Bagni di Lucca I will enjoy the stunning winter view. I am hoping for snow.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 