Barga

Barga is three miles away (five or ten minutes) by car or fifty minutes on foot. Whichever route you take is beautiful. The little road winds down the mountainside past chestnut trees, cultivated fields, a stream with several waterfalls and glimpses of the town below. The foot path, which is more direct, is an old Roman road paved with stone and it is one of the most remarkable walks of the area. Barga is a very charming town of 10,000 people. Until the unification of Italy,it was under Florentine dominion and it retains a feeling of Florentine elegance in its architecture. It is laid out in two sections. The newer, lower part has two lovely parks, many handy shops and caffes. The older part is called “Barga Castello” as it is the original walled town. It is fascinating for its many little piazzas, interesting passage-ways and antique style shops, several of which have remained much as they were in the nineteenth century and before, truly evoking another era. The old part of town is crowned by a twelfth century cathedral which is very striking in its imposing position and dignified simplicity. Barga is small enough so that one can explore every street (those that wind around “Barga Castello” are especially intriguing), yet the town is large enough so that you can buy nearly everything you might need there. It also has several pleasant moderately priced restaurants.