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La Torretta is a converted farm-house on a South-facing, terraced hillside overlooking the medieval hilltop town of Barga, in the valley of the Serchio, North of Lucca. In the background rise the jagged peaks of the Apuan Alps, the home of Carrara marble. The area is luxuriant and largely forested, in many places with chestnut, oak, and acacia, and therefore much greener than the browns and yellows traditionally associated with Tuscan landscapes further South. The town is high enough, 450 m, for summer evenings to be relatively cool.
Untouched by mass tourism, more than picturesque, Barga is a gem: ancient, immaculate, and prosperous, it attracts only the discerning. Historically, the area has close links with Scotland, where many Barghigiani emigrated in the early part of the century, often to work in the catering trade.
The house was modernized around 1980 and, while retaining a rustic air, has now been updated to a comfortable standard. Open beams give the main rooms charm. Perhaps its greatest asset is the stunning view over the ochre-colored town, especially in the evening, when the slanting light accentuates the contrast with the wooded setting. It's a good place for children and dogs, who have plenty of room to scramble.
For the enterprising visitor, the region has a rich cultural and natural heritage, and almost every village round about is worth exploring. On certain days of the year, the sun shines through the natural arch of the Monte Forato, visible across the valley.
The hamlet of Albiano, ten minutes' walk from the house, boasts a shop for everyday necessities, the Hotel-Restaurant "La Terrazza", and a café. There is a public swimming pool, 15 minutes from Albiano by a pleasant path, at "Il Ciocco", a very large conference centre behind and above the village, and another in Barga. Walkers will find many possibilities, including a network of well-preserved mule-tracks.
The ground floor of the house (126 m2 in all), which was once the cantina for storing wine, consists of the spacious living room and the new fitted kitchen, with a washing machine, dishwasher, and a marble worktop. Upstairs, there are three good-sized bedrooms, two on the first floor, and one in the "torretta", giving space to sleep six people in all. The main bedroom has a double bed; the two beds in the second and third bedrooms can be put together to make a double if required. In addition to the bathroom on the landing, the main, double bedroom has its own shower-room and loo, and a small balcony. Floors are traditional red tile. There is an adjoining barn, once used for livestock and now used for storing bulky items. The traditional Tuscan colour of the house blends with the natural environment, and the various elements of the property form a well-balanced whole.
Benvenuti a Barga - La Torretta vi aspetta! |
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