Land of Wolves and Outlaws
By Kerry Bell
In Lucca, Italy, if you want to express to someone that somewhere is in the middle of nowhere, you tell them it's in the Garfagnana, with an over-the-shoulder wave of your hand.
Nestled in the beautiful mountainous northwest corner of Tuscany, the city of Barga is situated on a spur overlooking the mid-Serchio River Valley, and was once known as one of the Jewels of the Garfagnana.
Barga, in its heyday, was a stronghold of the Medici's Florence, which is still evident in its culture, language, art, and architecture, and the Bargagiani continue to think of themselves as a cut above. Barga is nevertheless on the edge of the wilds of the Garfagnana, "land of wolves and outlaws," otherwise known for vast chestnut forests, wild boar, delicious pecorino cheeses, and porcini mushrooms.
Barga adds to this a rich cultural life of summer jazz and opera festivals, regular international art exhibitions, outdoor markets, and a gem-like theater founded in 1688--in addition to a city life that is vibrant, diverse, and will take any excuse to celebrate. Whether it is porcini mushroom season or the chestnut harvest, there is always something going on to remind you that you are, in fact, in the middle of somewhere special.
Kerry Bell
For International Living
About the Author
International Living's Italy: Owner's Manual is your guide to living in Italy. Italy has a staggering amount to offer travelers...and residents. Romantic cities. Timeless hill towns. Snowy mountains, idyllic islands, and a rivetingly beautiful coastline. Plus, outside the major cities, homes start at a mere $11,000.
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- Italy Guide
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- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Italy
- Best Places to Live in Italy
- Real Estate in Italy
- Guide to Real Estate in Italy
- Pros & Cons of Living in Italy
- Cost of Living in Italy
- 8 Incredible Hidden Gems in Italy
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- 5 Expat Moms Talk about Having a Baby in Italy
- 2024 Guide to Living in Italy
- Pros and Cons of Living in Italy 2024
- 2024 Guide to Moving to Italy
- More Advice about Retiring in Italy
Comments
guestFrom our travels and visits, I leaqrned that the real jewels here are the Garfagnana cities and towns. From my visit there, where my video camera was stolen from the seat next to me, Barga is the biggest manifestation of the land of Wolves and Outlaws. However, the areas more distant from Lucca such as Pugliano, Piazza al Serchio and Castelnuovo della Garfagnana are true gems still!