SOMMOCOLONIA
The house is situated in a small village in Tuscany in
a spectacular location. The village was founded by the Romans who
named it “Summacolunia” meaning “the colony at the summit.” Clearly the
Romans chose their position with care as it is not only a strategic
hilltop, but an especially lovely one as well. Today the expansive view of
the Serchio River Valley and its surrounding Apuan mountains is enhanced
by the patchwork of carefully tended fields near at hand. The intimacy of
a pot of geraniums within reach or a conical haystack in the field just
below provides the perfect counterpoint to the dramatic marble mountains
in the distance. These angular giants often appear to have snow on them
even in mid-summer, but at that time of year, it is white marble one is
seeing. (The exposed white indicates the same quarries where Michelangelo
obtained the marble for his sculpture.) In addition to the vista, there
are two things which the inhabitants of Sommocolonia have bragged about
for years -- probably centuries. They are “l’aria buona” (the good air)
and “l’acqua pura” (the pure water) and these things are very much there
now to be appreciated. What Sommocolonia does not offer is action -- it is
so tiny (fifty-two houses) that it does not have a store or a bar. It is
one of several outlaying villages which belong to the “Comune di Barga.”
(“Comune” tells where the governmental seat is located.) Along with the
panoramic vista from the house is a charming view down onto Barga. |
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