The best traffic-free bike rides around Gallicano

This artificial lake was created by damming the Turritecava stream in the late 1930s. Its protected location makes it an excellent refuge for birds. Canyoning is possible nearby on the Rio Selvano, a tributary of the Turritecava.

Part 2 / Day 8 Barga, In search of cooling – ‘dessert walk’. The sun has reached its peak during our lunch. The temperatures are rising in the old town. Not a breath of wind blows through the narrow alleys. City walls groan under the heat. Locals hide behind their thick house facades. The calories burned have been amply replenished by lunch. However, we do not turn down the proposed dessert walk. On the panoramic terrace in front of the imposing Duomo di San Cristoforo we literally reach the highest point in Barga. The sun burns the earth and its subjects. Heaven is within reach, but our time has not yet come. Wisely we continue looking for cooling in the lower-lying holy houses. Churches and chapels are excellent buildings to calm the heated minds. The further we descend through the narrow streets, the more sweet smells stimulate our brains. Just outside the city walls, in a sea of shade, we have an appointment with Theobroma. Theobroma Capolavori di Dolcezza is a paradise that specializes in gelato, yogurt and che. All these delicacies in cool colors and scents ask to be tasted. In this heaven on earth, where masterpieces of sweets surpass works of god 😉, we conclude our acquaintance with Barga. In one word, Barga was finished. Read other experiences? Click through to https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/collection/2195535/-visit-italy-2023-regio-massa-carrara-lucca

The territory of Vergemoli is marked by the presence of rivers, in particular the Turrite, which has provided energy for all human activities since the early twentieth century. Here nature works in harmony with man, leaving room for professions now in danger of extinction.

The place of worship stands at the foot of a large sheer wall. According to tradition, it was built precisely on the spot where, around the year 1000, a shepherdess went to draw water; Before his eyes a statue of the Virgin Mary appeared which is still an object of devotion today.

It's a private garden, but perfectly maintained. Parts can be seen through the gates or over the wall!

Couple of historic bridges over the riverbed running through Barga. Looks to be permanently dry now - a playground has been created on the river bed between the two bridges.

Great, small town just south of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Well worth a visit.

Barga is a fairly large village by Tuscan standards in the northern part of the province of Lucca. The village, like many villages, consists of two parts, a new part and an old part. Barga is on the list of I Borghi Piú belli d'Italia. The old part of Barga is still almost entirely walled. Unauthorized traffic is not allowed within these city walls. There is a large parking lot at the city gate where you can park your car for a fee. Once you pass through the Reale city gate, it seems as if you have taken a step back into the past. The village was probably founded before our era, but not much is known about the earliest history of Barga. We do know that in the Middle Ages the village belonged to Lucca but later joined Florence. During this period Barga was an important trading post. The main attraction of the village can be found at the highest point of Barga. This is where the Duomo of Braga is also known as the Chiesa del Mille. This beautiful church was built between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries. In the church, also look at the wooden statue behind the altar. This is a twelfth century statue of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of Barga. The most beautiful thing about the Chiesa, however, is the fantastic view you have from the square in front of the church. At the back of the lawn of the church is the Palazzo Pretoria, where the city museum is now located.