We are spoiled for choice here in the Bagni di Lucca area for interesting places to eat. Not far from our village, in the Garfagnana, is an amazing hermitage built into a rocky cliff above the town of Gallicano.
The hermitage, Eremo di Calomini, has been around since 1000AD. The grotto and the church are carved into the rock and have been expanded over the centuries. The double colonnaded facade was added in the 18th century.
The Calomini hermits took care of the sanctuary until 1868 and now it is in the hands of the Lucca Capuchin Fathers. It is open sometimes (usually between 9.00 – 12 and 15.00 – 17.00) and you can take a look inside. (phone 39 0583 767003)
There used to be a small restaurant in the grounds of the hermitage, but a few years ago the owners built an agriturismo and restaurant a few hundred metres away, just up the hill.
You can park in the car park beside the hermitage and walk up.
In warm weather it is delightful to sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the mountain views.
The menu is short and offers fresh, local produce. I can’t go past the crepes filled with ricotta and spinach and covered with a delicious ragu.
Also good is the trout (you know it is fresh because there is a trout farm nearby).
There are some pretty walks around the restaurant along leafy paths.
Take the road towards Castelnuovo, turn off at Gallicano, drive through the town and follow the signs towards Vergemoli. About 1 kilometre past Gallicano you will see the sign for Eremo di Calomini.
Amazing. I’ll share in facebook.
By: Blitzwood on September 18, 2014
at 7:28 pm
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 18, 2014
at 7:48 pm
We go quite often there. It is a wonderful place and the local trout is delicious. I can also recommend “the hermit’s dessert”. They must have Angels working in the kitchen…
By: Mulino Dominillo on September 18, 2014
at 7:30 pm
I couldn’t fit dessert in today, but I will try it next time, thanks for the tip.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 18, 2014
at 7:49 pm
We went there for lunch while staying in Bagni di lucca. We had the trout and it was fabulous. The views were spectacular
By: Lyn on September 18, 2014
at 7:56 pm
debra. that is just plain gorgeous!
By: george miori on September 18, 2014
at 8:05 pm
Definitely have to give it a go next time
By: Liz Litzow on September 18, 2014
at 9:36 pm
A favourite of ours also. Besides the very good food the views are fabulous.
By: Jim & Kerry on September 18, 2014
at 9:55 pm
I love it up there.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 6:01 pm
What a stunning setting!
By: aFrankAngle on September 19, 2014
at 1:04 am
It looks incredible from a distance, but heaven better up close.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 6:00 pm
What a lovely place to have on your doorstep.
By: Just Add Attitude on September 19, 2014
at 6:01 am
The area is full of amazing things.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:59 pm
Jealous
By: Jan Fabretti on September 19, 2014
at 6:56 am
You will have to cone back next year.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:58 pm
Looks delicious, particularly the trout. Sounds like a perfect day.
By: jennyandstephenmilan on September 19, 2014
at 7:02 am
I have been here several times in the last few years. The menu doesn’t change, but the food is always good and the hermitage is wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:58 pm
What magical places you go to Deb.
By: Jan on September 19, 2014
at 11:39 am
There is no shortage around here.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:56 pm
I cannot believe that in all our trips to Bagni we have missed this one. It is definitely on our ‘to do’ list for October!
By: Andrea Waterhouse on September 20, 2014
at 7:18 am
It’s great, you must go.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:56 pm
Beautiful Debra! And lovely autumn weather it looks like too !
By: Catherine on September 20, 2014
at 7:48 am
The weather is all over the place right now…sunny and hot one minute and pelting rain the next.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:55 pm
This looks wonderful,..I am in the process of persuading a friend to come with me to Bagni di Lucca next year! And hopefully can get to meet you, too 🙂
By: suej on September 20, 2014
at 10:35 am
That would be great. I will be here from February until about mid June.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:53 pm
How steep is the walk up to the restuarant and how long does it take? My little legs are not what they were!
By: June Finnigan on September 20, 2014
at 4:34 pm
It is not too steep and only about 100 metres. You can drive to the small car park, but I didn’t see that until I got there.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 20, 2014
at 5:52 pm
Thanks for that Debra, we like to lunch in Lucca with friends, but thought it might be nice to go somewhere different!
By: June Finnigan on September 22, 2014
at 4:00 pm
we visited there years ago and had the delish trout (and the view)! Lovely peaceful experience…thanks for the memory…
By: Susan And Wade on October 3, 2014
at 12:41 pm
Loved this little GEM! Will do again.
By: John Byrne on June 13, 2016
at 3:27 pm
On the list – looks gorgeous
By: Elizabeth Litzow on June 13, 2016
at 4:20 pm