Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Barga
6
Road map
C1.
Bagni di Lucca
8
Road map
C2.
depict the Evangelists, the
Three Magi, the Annunciation,
the Nativity and the Baptism
of Christ.
*
11,000.
V @
*
7,402.
@
(
Sat.
n
Via del Casino (0583 80 57 45).
(
Wed & Sat.
Barga is the most attractive
of the towns that line the
Serchio valley leading north-
wards from Lucca, and it
makes an excellent base for
touring the Garfagnana area.
The little walled town with its
steep streets paved with stone
is the setting for a highly
regarded opera festival held in
July and August in the 18th-
century Teatro dell'Accademia
dei Differenti. The festival is
always well attended.
The Garfagnana
7
Road map
C1.
Visitors come to Bagni di
Lucca for its lime sulphate
springs. In the 19th century it
was one of Europe's most
fashionable spa towns
(see p185)
: the Casino,
built in 1837, was the first
to be licensed in Europe.
Also from that time are
the Neo-Gothic
English
Church
, the elegant
Palazzo del Circolo dei
Forestieri
restaurant and
the
Cimitero Anglicano
(Protestant Cemetery).
Bagni di Lucca makes a
good base for exploring
the surrounding hills
cloaked in chestnut
woods. You can walk to
Montefegatesi, a hamlet
surrounded by the peaks
of the Alpi Apuane, and
then continue to Orrido di
Botri, a dramatic gorge.
To the south of Bagni is
San Giorgio or
Pieve
di Brancoli
, one of
many Romanesque
churches in the area
founded during the
reign of Countess Matilda
(1046-1115)
(see p45)
.
The Ponte della Maddalena
is a hump-backed bridge
across the River Serchio just
north of the village of Borgo
a Mozzano. It is called Ponte
del Diavolo (Devil's Bridge)
because, according to local
legend, the Devil offered to
build the bridge in return for
possession of the first soul to
V @
Castelnuovo
di Garfagnana.
Via Cavalieri di
Vittorio Veneto, Castelnuovo di
Garfagnana (0583 64 10 07).
n
This mountainous
region can be explored
from Barga, Seravezza,
or Castelnuovo di
Garfagnana
(see p173)
.
Here too is the Parco
Naturale delle Alpi
Apuane
(see p173)
.
From Castelnuovo
a scenic drive takes
you to the Alpe Tre
Potenze. You can
return via San
Pellegrino in Alpe
with its
Museo
Etnografico
, and also
visit the nature park
Parco dell' Orecchiella
and the
Orto Botanico
Pánia di Corfino
with its collection
of local Alpine
plants.
E
Museo Etnografico
Via del Voltone 15, San Pellegrino in
Alpe.
Tel
0583 64 90 72.
View over Barga rooftops
R
Duomo
Propositura.
Romanesque
sculpture in Pieve
di Brancoli
daily.
Barga's Duomo stands on a
grassy terrace at the highest
point in the town. There are
glorious views from here of
the gleaming white marble
and limestone peaks of the
Alpi Apuane.
The 11th-century Duomo
is dedicated to San Cristoforo
(St Christopher). The exterior
is decorated with interesting
Romanesque carvings of
interlaced knots, wild beasts
and knights in armour. Over
the north portal, a frieze
thought to be a scene from
a folk tale depicts a banquet.
Inside, a huge wooden
statue of St Christopher dates
to the 12th century, and there
is a gilded tabernacle guarded
by two charming terracotta
angels by Luca della Robbia.
Most impressive of all is the
massive marble pulpit, standing
fully 5 m (16.5 ft) tall,
supported by pillars which
in turn rest on the back of
man-eating lions. The pulpit
is the work of Guido Bigarelli
of Como and dates to the
early 13th century. The lively
sculptures on the upper part
#
Sep-
Jun: Tue-Sun; Jul & Aug: daily.
#
&
Y
Parco dell'Orecchiella
Centro Visitatori, Orecchiella.
Tel
058
3 61 90 02.
Jun & Sep: Sat & Sun;
Jul-15 Sep: daily; Apr-Nov: Sun.
7
Y
#
Orto Botanico Pánia di
Corfino
Parco dell'Orecchiella
.
#
Jul-Aug
daily; May-Jun & Sep: Sun.
Ponte della Maddalena or “Devil's Bridge” near Bagni di Lucca
