Then and Now…Villa Ada

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Villa Ada is the 16th century residence of the De’Nobili family. It is set in a beautiful park, which is still used occasionally for events such as the archery competition.

It is still possible to see how elegant it must have been with its lovely covered walkway down to the village. I can imagine what a cool, shady place it must have been on a hot summer day.

You can see Villa Ada in this 1905 photo of La Villa…it is just below the row of cypress trees on the hill.

The photo below was taken in 1908.

It was still looking good 1937.

Villa Ada has belonged to the Comune since 1975. Work has been done to preserve it, but it needs new owners to love and care for it…any takers?

It looks OK from a distance, but as you get closer you can see that it is beginning to deteriorate.

The marble sculpture, The Nymph of the Spa and another statue were in the entrance, but the nymph now resides in the Comune building. I don’t know what happened to the other one.

The grounds must have been very beautiful. It wouldn’t take too much to restore the gardens.

Bagni di Lucca is full of places like this. Is there anyone out there with lots of money?

Scacciaguai

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

I love this word. It means good luck charm, or chase / sweep your troubles away. This is a scacciaguai.

It is on the wall just around the corner from the entrance to a restaurant named Scacciaguai in Barga.

The restaurant is run by 2 brothers and I think it is very good. I have been a few times and have had delicious food and good service each time.

Now for the food.

They very kindly offer instructions on how to sweep away your troubles. Make the horns with your index finger and your little finger and poke the eyes of the Scacciaguai.

I should be OK now.

Scaccuaguai,

Via di Mezzo 25,

Barga. (39) 0583 711368

www.scacciaguai.it

For more on scacciaguai read My Kitchen Witch.

Eat at Villa Aurora

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Villa Aurora is in the most beautiful setting. There is an amazing view of Prato Fiorito and Pieve di Controne. On a fine sunny day it is great to sit outside on the spacious terrace. The owner proudly served us some of the most delicious prosciutto I have ever eaten. Their pasta is great. My friend Carla had the saltimbocca. Agostino and I enjoyed the perfectly cooked trout. I believe the pizzas are good here too…next time. Villa Aurora…Fabbriche di Casabasciana. From the SS12, follow the signs towards Casabasciana. The restaurant is not far along the road. Phone…(39) 0583 85600

Festa della Zucca

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Autumn is a time for festivals in our area. Many villages celebrate the season with festivals honouring the local produce. I recently attended the Festa della Zucca (pumpkin festival) in Piegaia, not far from Bagni di Lucca.

There were lots of people there enjoying the many stalls selling interesting things to do with pumpkins and other delights.

There were pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.

Delicious food was available. We chose penne with pumpkin and creme brûlée with pumpkin.

It is great to see these festival well attended by people of all ages. Everyone joins in and has a great time. I went with Heather from Sapori e Saperi. She knows all the best places to go.

Cembroni

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Cembroni is a little hamlet that is part of San Cassiano. Take the road from La Villa and follow the signs for San Cassiano. Just before the town you will see the sign for Cembroni on the left.

The drive up along the tree lined roads is quite lovely.

Cembroni is tiny. There is a little tangle of narrow steeets, stone houses, leafy lanes and gardens.

On a quiet sunny day I met some lazy kitty cats.

Instead of the usual green doors, I found mostly brown ones. I did manage to track down a couple of green ones.

The last flowers and fruits of summer put on a fine show.

I was most impressed by the collection of chimneys and roof tiles.

I would like to take this old railing home and install it on my balcony.

Of course the views from Cembroni are excellent.

Just a handful of families live permanently now in the village. In summer the population swells when ex-residents return to enjoy the peace and quiet in the summer sun. If you are seeking a tranquil refuge from the world, perhaps you should head to Cembroni.

Finally, a clean up

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The Ponte della Maddalena is the most recognisable structure in our area. It is a 900 year old treasure.

It is possible to see in this photo some of the build up of debris on the buttresses of the bridge. We have had lots of rain over the last 12 months and the river has been carrying lots of rubbish along with it and quite a bit has gathered around the base of the bridge.

Finally, the clean up has begun. The river has been diverted and the tree branches and other bits and pieces are being removed.

It is good to see the Ponte della Maddalena being looked after. I never tire of looking at this amazing bridge every time I pass. I often stop and walk across and enjoy the view from the top as well. Let’s hope it is here for another 900 years.

Francis has written about the clean up too on his blog. Click here to see his report.

Crazy weather

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Summer in Bagni di Lucca has been unusually cool and wet. The crazy weather continues. One day it is warm and sunny.

The river is calm and low.

Then we get driving rain and storms and the river turns into a raging torrent, much more likely in winter.

There was a huge hail storm in Florence the other day that left the streets looking as though they were covered with snow…crazy stuff.

What will autumn and winter bring?

Then and now…Bagni Caldi

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

At the Terme in Bagni Caldi I found a painting of Bagni Caldi. It is a view from Ponte a Serraglio.

The bridge in the painting isn’t in the same position as the current one, but several of the buildings still exist.

Here is a photo taken today from the spot where the artist must have stood.

The old hotel, Villa Pio X and Villa Talenti are visible, but San Giovanni baths are hidden by trees.

In the photo below you can see the restored Doccia Bassa below Villa Talenti.

I don’t know when the painting was done. Perhaps somebody out there knows. I might take another trip to Terme for more information.

Gorgeous Ghivizzano

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Not far from Bagni di Lucca is the lovely hilltop town of Ghivizzano. At the gateway to the magnificent Garfagnana, the town dates back to the 900s.

The town is dominated by the castle on top of the hill. The arched entrance at lower end of town takes you through covered alleyways and through winding cobblestone streets up to the church and castle.

Of course, the views are beautiful from the high position.

We wandered slowly upwards.

We were there on the day of a festival in the courtyard in front of the castle…a perfect place to hold an archery competition in full costume.

It is possible to climb the tower at the castle, so of course we did.

Keep an eye out for festivals at Ghivizzano. The castle is a great venue and it really gives you an idea of life in different times.

A determined bird

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

If you look closely in the photo of the waterfall in the river at Ponte a Serraglio you will see a seagull. I watched this bird over several days and he always appeared in the same spot on a ledge in the middle of the overflow.

He is clearly standing there waiting for a fish to come hurtling through the water towards him. It must work because it is his regular place.

It seems odd to see seagulls in a mountain village, but the sea is quite close as the crow, or in this case, the seagull, flies.

Our ducks seem to be disappearing slowly, but the seagulls are always on the river.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Tuscany