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Italy, Page 6
Sunday, October 5
This was a day of rest and relaxation...and doing laundry
We decided to spend the day "at home" and do more exploring of our local area
This is the view from the front of the house through a window screen
The sink next to the pizza oven
An old water wheel. What could it have been used for?
Occasionally you see steps like these leading from one terrace to another
A typical view of Sant' Andrea di Compito
A brick arch, windows and doors with shutters
St. Andrea, the church
No walk around town would be complete without a stop at Tre Tigli
Monday, October 6
The Garfagnana refers to an area north of Lucca, along the Serchio River between the mountains of the Alpi Apuan to the west and the Apennines to the east.
We drove north along the river until we found the Ponte del Diavolo.
Built sometime around 1100, legend has it that the builder, St. Julian, got some help from the devil in exchange for the soul of the first being to cross it. He sent a dog.
It is an unusual structure
This is looking down the far side
The bridge was part of the "Via Francigena", a medieval pilgrimage road from France to Rome
Here we are stopped at a light because the road through this little town is only wide enough for cars to proceed in one direction at a time
A little farther north we arrived at the hill town of Barga
The Duomo atop the hill provides great views of the surrounding area
Lots of ups and downs in Barga
Views from the Duomo di San Cristoforo
Started in 998 and enlarged in the 12th and 13th centuries
This place has been here for a while
This statue of San Cristoforo dates from the 11th century
From what we saw, Italians are not very fastidious about picking up after their dogs. This sign was outside on an open lawn area next to the Duomo. I don't know what it says in Italian, but I'm pretty sure I know what it means!
Looking down the valley
Some green in town
Who wears the pants in this family?
A blue bucket
Lorri on an ancient street with satellite dishes
We found a great spot for lunch and shared the patio with a tour group from Germany
Lorri, white wine, the Vosteria Barga
Great bresaola!
The Polizia drive little cars too! How do they fit the criminals in the back seat?
Barga in a nutshell.
Bellany's work was everywhere. Check out San Cristoforo here. The Christ child he's carrying doesn't look so happy, or child-like.
Our trip to the Garfagnana was a pleasant surprise, very scenic and peaceful and less touristy than other parts of Tuscany. This is back in SAdC on the little road to our house.
Tuesday, October 7
This was Lucca Day.
We visited several churches
The ornate facade of San Michele in Foro
Lorri reading a map!
The heads at the top of each column are actually sculptures of famous people.
These guys were renovating part of the plaza near the church. Interesting to watch the process which is probably similar to how this work was done 500 or 1000 years ago.
The Torre del Ore, the clock tower.
I climbed the 207 steps to the top (Lorri waited safely on the ground) passing the gear mechanism on the way
The tower and clock date from 1390 with a few improvements since then
The tower provides great views over the rooftops of Lucca to the mountains in the distance
You can get an idea of how dense the buildings are
The Duomo
I guess if you don't have a back yard you can plant your trees on the top of your tower
My new profile picture
One of the bells with its clanger
Close up of the works which date from around 1752
I knew it was a spaghetti western!
Should we eat here?
Porta del Borghi (?)
Via del Fosso, not exactly the Grand Canal
OK, my translate app tells me Forno Galli means "oven roosters". Huh?
I asked this gentleman if the caricature painted on the window is of him. Well, I didn't actually speak any Italian, I just pointed to the window and to him and he shook his head in the affirmative. I did ask him in me best Italian if I could take his photo. I said "posso?" and he said "si".
The bicyclist.
Lunch at a small cafe
If you're driving a car, you cannot proceed.
San Giovanni, the setting for the nightly Puccini concerts
St. Martin's Cathedral, the Duomo di Lucca, Cattedrale di San Martino, begun in 1063
Giambologna (?)
The Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, 1406, Jacopo della Quercia
The nave
"St Martin and the Poor man" by an unknown Lombard assist in the 13th century
According to Wikipedia, this "Labyrinth" is believed to date from the 12th or 13th century. The incised Latin inscription refers to some ancient pagan mythology. It's embedded in a column on the outside of the church.
This place was recommended by several different people but we never found time to go there.
a green bike.
One last look at the walls of Lucca
We passed under this aqueduct several times going to and from Lucca. Though it has that Roman look, it was built in the mid-1800's
Oh yeah, baby! Burgers in Italy!
Cheeseburgers in Paradise! We even bought ketchup and mayo.
Wednesday, October 8
On our last full day near Lucca, we decided to visit Rick Steves' favorite Tuscan hill town, Volterra, for the day.
After a wrong turn or two we made it to the alabaster capital in a little over an hour.
Rick Steves is correct about Volterra, it has a feel to it that is more laid back and less touristy than some of the other hill top towns we've visited
It's filled with colorful streets and friendly people
around almost every corner is a painting waiting to happen
Aperitivo, Happy Wine, Prosecco ex Dry, as the sign says. What more does one need?
There are ruins of a Roman Amphitheater which were partially cannibalized to build the baths/spa behind the former stage.
We're looking down from what would have been the standing room only section above the sitting areas.
There we are standing in the SRO area
Some "Alabastro"
The main drag through town is unusually wide for a medieval town, allowing for a more open feel and easier pedestrian navigation
Where is that sulfide stick when you need it?
Alabaster shopping
Should we get these earrings for ______? Insert name. Yes, they're beautiful! Can we get wine now?
Main Street.
Hot peppers!
Pepi? Something to do with pepper, I believe.
A world of alabaster
La Taverna!
Cinghiale!
This is where we had lunch.
Cinghiale on pasta!
Looking across the Etruscan ruins toward town.
I guess English speakers pay the reduced entry fee.
The Fortezza Medicea
Volterra
Volterra with construction crane
More Volterra
The Etruscan Arch. Some of the stones holding up the arch date from the 4th century BC.
Those three things that sort of look like heads in the arch date from the first century BC. According to Rick Steves, they actually were sculptures of heads but 2000 years of exposure to the elements has taken its toll.
As the story goes, late in WWII, the Germans were about to blow up the Etruscan Arch to slow the Allied advance. Instead, to save it, the townspeople took the pavers from the adjacent street and plugged up the opening to keep the Allies out. This plaque commemorates that event.
Back up the hill
An alabaster artist's studio
Love the plants along the patios
Old guy standing in the street.
The ride back was faster because we knew where we were going.
With a quick stop at the Coop, we assembled another great dinner back at Casa Orsi.
Thursday, October 9
We drove from Lucca to Fiumicino, checked into our hotel, turned in the rental car at the airport, took a cab back to the hotel, and went for a walk
It turned out to be a nice little area.
There were fishing boats and several places along the road to buy fresh seafood.
There were restaurants and cafes and, naturally, an Irish pub.
Knowing that we needed to build some strength for our trip home the next day, we stopped in for a Guinness! Looks like we may have had a shot o' the whiskey too!
And so ended our extended stay in Italy. It was a great trip! Our time with Debbie and Mike was very special.
See that 65? It's just a number. Like my age. I turned 65 in Italy and it was a great birthday! Thanks to Lorri, Deb, Mike and Italy for making it special. I love you all.
Top of this page
Monday, October 6, Garfgnana
Tuesday, October 7, Lucca
Wednesday, October 8, Volterra
Thursday, October 9, Fiumicino
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