Trassilico is the village we look at from the terrace of Casa Debbio. It always looks wonderful draped across a ridge in the Apuane mountains…whether it is sunny,
cloudy,
hidden in mist,
completely hidden in mist and cloud,
back in the sun,
covered with snow,
or shining under a full moon.
After looking at it from a distance for years I thought it was time to visit. A friend and I drove down the mountain from Vergemoli and up the mountain on the other side of the valley.
We first came to Verni, a pretty little town with a delightful entrance.
Like all the lovely mountain villages, Verni is full of narrow streets, beautiful views, interesting rooftops, doorways and sleeping cats.
You can see Vergemoli from Verni.
And you can look up to Trassilico.
A few kilometres further, on a not very good road, and we arrived at the entrance to Trassilico. It is always a good idea to park outside these little towns and walk in.
From the car park we could see the old fort at the top of the town…which is where we headed.
The hamlet of Trassilico has been inhabited since Roman times. The medieval fortified complex on top of Trassilico was already in a state of decay in the 15th century and rebuilt in the 17th century.
There are wonderful views from the top.
We could see Vergemoli and I could just pick out Casa Debbio through the trees. It was a bit hazy, so the photo is not all that clear. While we were there we could hear the music that our neighbour Sisto plays when the mood takes him. It came loud and clear across the valley, making our trip to Trassilico all the more delightful.
The Garfagnana is full of delightful villages to explore…it will take me years to find them all.
Click here to see the post about Sisto and his music.
Great photos and a beautiful town. Thank you, Debra
By: mulino dominillo on July 8, 2013
at 9:58 pm
There are so many for us to choose from in our area…we will never be bored.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:21 am
What a delightful journey for you….and us! I love the way the scenes change with the seasons and houses huddling closely hugging the mountainsides. I’m still amazed how they could build such places on treacherous terrains. As always, you’ve captured the charms of village life in each place.
By: Sandra Hoopmann on July 8, 2013
at 10:27 pm
The original builders must have been very tough indeed. They built these amazing structures without our modern tools and equipment.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:22 am
Thanks for allowing us along on this delightful exploration, Debra! I have never met an Italian hill town that didn’t beckon to me, and this one is charming indeed. How sweet that you could hear your neighbor’s music!
By: jann on July 8, 2013
at 10:35 pm
The music was a happy surprise…it was amazing that we had just met Sisto that morning.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:25 am
Thrilling Deb! So lovely that you could see your house through the haze….
By: janinevasta on July 8, 2013
at 11:53 pm
I could just see Casa Debbio peekingout between the trees…only because I knew where to look.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:26 am
Beautiful gallery of photos, Debra. 🙂
By: adinparadise on July 9, 2013
at 12:28 am
Thank you, it is a gorgeous area.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:26 am
Another great find because I don’t get tired of Italian villages. 🙂
By: Frank on July 9, 2013
at 12:43 am
Neither do I, I just love discovering new ones.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:27 am
Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful little expedition to your nearby town and the excellent photos Beautiful Regards Coral
By: Coral Boucher on July 9, 2013
at 3:12 am
Thank you for coming along for the ride.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:27 am
Reblogged this on coralboucher.
By: Coral Boucher on July 9, 2013
at 3:13 am
Thank you for that.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:29 am
beautiful Debra. Thank you for the brief transportation
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on July 9, 2013
at 3:52 am
I really miss these beautiful places when i am back in Australia, even though I love it here too.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:30 am
Very very nice
By: aussiegirl0905 on July 9, 2013
at 5:17 am
There are lots of gorgeous things to see in our area.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:31 am
It’s beautiful in all weather conditions. Such a lovely area to visit.
By: Jim & Kerry on July 9, 2013
at 6:12 am
Every day is different in the mountains. Even the wet days are lovely, except when there are too many of them and you are trying to build a garden.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 8:32 am
Just stunning, Deb. The photo of the mountains in the mist made me catch my breath… xx
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on July 9, 2013
at 8:48 am
I could look at that view all day. It is constantly changing, and always heavenly. I have always been a city girl, but I have been converted.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 9:45 am
its a beautiful village, and the different pictures with mist and clouds and the sun are really nice.
By: fragolina on July 9, 2013
at 10:21 am
The views in the mountains are constantly changing with the weather, I love it there.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 9:41 pm
My impression is that Casa Debbio is somewhat isolated, so I wonder if the small grey dot to the right of the top tower and above the village is it? How could it get more enchanting? Just add music. I can almost hear it.
Thank you for taking me where I cannot physically go. Of all your blogs, I enjoy the village strolls the most. Old doors, windows, iron fittings, cats, flowers, rooftops, long views of the mountains ~ and most of all ~ beautiful faces, young and old. Food for the soul.
Perhaps when you return you might take us walking in the North part of Ponte a Serraglio. Do I detect a park or pasture? I have long been curious about what is up that way.
Lastly, I understand you were the subject of a local print story. Could we see a copy of it? I’m glad to hear the locals appreciate your energy enough to write about you. I’ll bet they love you in Brisbane too.
Sisters in Spirit, Marsha
By: directgood on July 9, 2013
at 11:50 am
You are correct about Casa Debbio, it is that small dot in the trees.
At Ponte a Serraglio perhaps you mean the walk over the hill to La Villa. It was the subject of a very early post called A walk to Colle. I can certainly do it again when I return.
There was a lovely article in the local paper about the flowers on the bridge. There was another about a survey I did on the summer street closures in La Villa on my other blog Bella Bagni di Lucca. Tourists are all in favour of this, but many of the locals don’t want it and I have had some angry responses by them. I am hoping they will forget about it by the time I get back. I don’t have copies of the articles with me.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 9:49 pm
How wonderful to hear your neighbours music after such a climb! I am deeply envious of these wee villages you visit, I love the ancient bustle of them.. lovely doors!! c
By: cecilia on July 9, 2013
at 2:01 pm
Sisto’s music is a delight. Everybody must know him in the area. I hope they all love it as much as I do.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 9:50 pm
All the Italian villages and towns you feature on the blog are lovely, but it must be especially nice to visit one where you can look back and see your own house.
By: Just Add Attitude on July 9, 2013
at 4:05 pm
That was an absolute treat to see our house, nice to think we have made a little mark on the landscape.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 9, 2013
at 9:51 pm
It looks beautiful! And is that a photo of you Debra in the black? 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on July 11, 2013
at 7:09 am
That is my friend. I am holding the camera.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2013
at 7:47 am
The view of the town from the carpark is gorgeous! Must have felt wonderful to spot Casa Debbio from across that distance 🙂
By: Madhu on July 11, 2013
at 9:01 am
It was a special afternoon, seeing Casa Debbio and hearing Sisto’s music.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2013
at 9:04 am
I loved this post! Like so many others. You have further ‘charmed’ them with the small groupings of photos; ‘quanto bello’ and, this one, was almost audible with Sisto’s music, wafting through the air, integrating the valley for all to embrace. Something special about this man, what he offers and how his ingeniuty has added still another dimension to your lovely Italian days. Beata te!
By: Caterina on July 11, 2013
at 2:09 pm
I am very lucky to be able to spend so much time in this beautiful area. You are right about Sisto, he is very special.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2013
at 9:20 pm
[…] A trip to Trassilico (bagnidilucca.wordpress.com) […]
By: New life at Casa Debbio | Sherry's Space on August 10, 2013
at 1:40 am
Thank you for the lovely post on Trassilico. For years I have viewed Vergemoli from Trassilico and been enthrawled with the mysterious music. Now I know.
Casa Debbio is beautiful! I’m remodeling a small house in Trassilico and I’m at the “what was I thinking” stage.
All the best.
Margherita
By: Margherita Benelli on February 1, 2014
at 10:15 pm
Good luck with your house. I have had many of those “what was I thinking” moments, but it is all worth it in the end.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 1, 2014
at 11:01 pm