No, not long fields of barley and of rye. Ponte a Serraglio lies on either side of the river Lima. Some of the houses, like ours, are built right on the river. It is a straight drop from our windows to the water. Our little balcony sticks out over the river. If we had a mind to, we could throw a line in and catch the odd trout.
the village of Ponte a Serraglio
the hills rise quickly from the river
the passerella and Villa Fiori
a early spring view of Ponte a Serraglio
The land rises fairly steeply up from the river and I love to walk up the hill in front of our house. There is always something good to look at.
hellebores grow wild under the trees
San Giovanni baths
the old church behind the Bagni Caldi
from further up the hill
Tuscan rooftops
terraced hills
spring violets
a Bagni di Lucca garden
Even in abandoned gardens the flowers will spring up and look beautiful.
these were growing in the garden of a ruin
and these beautiful daffodils
The leaves are beginning to appear on the trees. Everything will look completely different soon.
Dearest Debra,
Simple, pleasant and truthful description of Ponte a Serraglio.
Loved it!
Big warm hug!
Rose
By: Rosaly Palma Torvnes on March 26, 2011
at 8:32 am
You might have a place here soon too.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 12:10 pm
I like the idea of spending a lazy afternoon on your balcony with a line in waiting for trout nibbles. An espresso by my side, gazing out at the tuscan roof tiles and terraced mountainside…Yep, that would do nicely.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on March 26, 2011
at 9:40 am
It is a lovely place to be. The fishermen are out today because it is a gorgeous day.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 12:10 pm
How refreshing to see the colourful start of spring. Interesting to see plenty of movement in the river as well.
Regards Helen
By: helen on March 26, 2011
at 9:57 am
The trees have their first buds and it will all happen soon. Some cherry trees nearby are about to blossom.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 12:11 pm
We just returned from a quick week there and sorry I wasn’t able to meet you-It was lovely weather-we were very lucky. We had a great time at the Lucca Camella Festival and highly recommend that! I enjoy your blog daily!
By: Melonie Carideo on March 26, 2011
at 2:34 pm
Not to worry, I might catch you next time.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 2:51 pm
I too would love to come and share the views you have from your balcony!
By: Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on March 26, 2011
at 4:08 pm
You are always welcome.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 4:18 pm
It’s so beautiful and I am so envious!
By: paninigirl on March 26, 2011
at 6:01 pm
You will be here soon to enjoy it for yourself.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 8:40 pm
I have 2 of the very same terracotta pot (behind daffodils pic) in Brisbane garden, now I am thinking how can I get them down to Tasmania, what a long journey from Tuscany to Brisbane to Tasmania.
By: Roz on March 26, 2011
at 6:25 pm
I love terracotta pots. We have several on our balcony and downstairs on the street.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 8:39 pm
Your house is on the river bank? This is so unfair right now.. I want to visit your town and take photos from your house! 🙂 haha
By: Dakota on March 26, 2011
at 7:18 pm
If you are in the area between 17th April and 18th May come to see us.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 8:38 pm
Beautiful description and photos!
By: maru on March 26, 2011
at 8:27 pm
Thank you for your comments.
By: bagnidilucca on March 26, 2011
at 8:40 pm
Your beautiful photos are my Sunday morning treat! Thanks Deb..
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on March 26, 2011
at 9:30 pm
I’m glad you like them Celia.
By: bagnidilucca on March 27, 2011
at 6:12 am
Hi Deb,
Lovely photos of your village and surrounds. You are sure doing a great job of promoting the area, congrats. My next door neighbour is visiting Lucca next month so I have introduced him to your website. He has enjoyed perusing it.
He and his wife are intending to catch the bus to Bagni for a day trip. Even if they only buy a meal locally, it is all wothwhile, it’s all business. What a great medium the internet is. Well done.
Cheers Judy
By: Judy on March 27, 2011
at 2:48 am
Thanks Judy, I hope your neighbours like the village. At least they will know what they are looking at. I hope I am encouraging people to come here. If people don’t come these small villages die.
By: bagnidilucca on March 27, 2011
at 6:10 am
Well Debra., these pics are my Sunday afternoon treat. I love that your villa is right on the river. Does it ever flood & are the banks of the river eroding at all over time? The houses are everything I’d imagined, love the Tuscan rooftop view 🙂
By: Anna Johnston on March 27, 2011
at 5:54 am
The river does flood accasionally, but we are quite high and I don’t believe it has ever come this high. After heavy rain the river turn into a raging torrent and I love to stand at the window to watch it. Further down river, where the banks are much lower, the road beside the river has been cut sometimes. This hasn’t happened in the 8 years I have been coming here. Our house is built on solid rock and just here there seems to be no erosion. The house has been here for around 200 years.
By: bagnidilucca on March 27, 2011
at 6:04 am
What an amazing place. I love the houses right on the river…tell me, are the “baths” still functioning? Have you ever been? I’d love to go if they are…
By: The Daily Cure on March 27, 2011
at 7:01 am
Our’s is the one right on the bridge. One of the old “baths” is still operating – Bagni Caldi. I have been, I did a post on it ages ago called Terme. I should go back and get some photos of the old grottoes and the room where you go after the steam room. It was fun.
By: bagnidilucca on March 27, 2011
at 7:50 am
A beautiful pictorial tour of Ponte a Serraglio!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on March 27, 2011
at 11:52 am
Thank you – it is very pretty here.
By: bagnidilucca on March 27, 2011
at 6:20 pm
The pictures of your village are so beautiful… on our trip plan to Tuscany, we have Lucca on the list…
By: Fragolina on March 28, 2011
at 9:45 am
You will love Lucca and you should come up to Bagni di Lucca, it is just 30 minutes outside Lucca by car.
By: bagnidilucca on March 28, 2011
at 10:03 am
It’s lovely to see photos of Ponte a Serraglio, I always like to see what the weather is like – her’s hoping that it’s fine when we come at Easter. We arrive on Monday the 25th April and will be staying in our lovely little house up in Vitiana until the following Saturday – can’t wait! Just a thought Deb – will the Co-op be open that Monday? It’s Easter Monday, will we be able to buy food? Will Marco be open for meals that night? I hadn’t thought of it being a holiday!!
By: Jan on March 28, 2011
at 8:08 pm
Easter Monday is a holiday. Most things will be closed. Marco may be open. Sometimes he opens on that Monday and has Tuesday off instead. Monday is his usual day to close. I’ll see if I can find out. I’m sure somebody will be open as there are lots of people about at Easter.
By: bagnidilucca on March 28, 2011
at 8:35 pm
Thank you Deb. Appreciate you taking time out to answer me. Let’s hope we find somwhere to buy a few essentials just to tide us over until the following day!
Jan
By: Jan on March 30, 2011
at 4:46 pm
Monday 25th is a major holiday. It is Easter Monday and also Liberation Day. Some restaurants will be open but I think most food shops will be closed. I will be here then. If you wish I could get some things for you on Saturday and you could collect them from me on your way through.
By: bagnidilucca on March 30, 2011
at 5:30 pm
Thank you so much Deb, that’s really kind of you. Can I get back to you once I’ve had a chat to our friends who are coming with us. To be honest just some milk for tea and coffe would probably get us by until the following day. As long as we can go out for a meal Monday night we’ll be fine I’m sure.
Will keep you posted.
Many thanks
Jan
By: Jan on March 31, 2011
at 9:10 pm
Beautiful photographs! Are you quoting Tennyson in the title/first line or thinking of the Loreena McKennit song?
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on March 30, 2011
at 8:06 am
It is the first line from Tennyson’s Lady of Shalott. I learned it at school more than 40 years ago and have not forgotten it. I’m sure my English teacher would be pleased.
By: bagnidilucca on March 30, 2011
at 8:49 am
Loreena McKennitt set the poem to music. You can listen to the first couple of minutes here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU_Tn-HxULM. The whole song is about 12 minutes long!
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on March 30, 2011
at 9:03 am
Thanks for that, I have not heard of Loreena McKennitt.
By: bagnidilucca on March 30, 2011
at 11:45 am
Oh My! how beautiful it is to live in a city like that!
By: mirellamccracken on March 31, 2011
at 5:26 am
We do love our little part of the world.
By: bagnidilucca on March 31, 2011
at 6:14 am