The area in and around Barga
Barga
Barga has two distinct parts to the town - Barga Vecchia and Barga Giardino.Barga Vecchia is the walled section with narrow climbing streets. It is where you can find the Tourist Office, The Teatro dei Differenti (home of Opera Barga) and some wonderful places to eat.
Barga Giardino is the newer section where you will find all the shops to take care of all your holiday needs from banks to supermarkets, gelaterie to corner shops
The weekly market held each Saturday gives an opportunity for you to exeperience the best of Italian natural produce and clothes as well as a range of domestic supplies. Every second Sunday in the month there is the antiques market (Barga Vecchia).
Barga has a lovely public swimming pool, tennis court and riding ground. The pool has spectacular mountain views, plenty of deck chairs and a bar which serves food.
Barga is host to many events in the summer including; painting exhibitions, Opera Barga, Barga Jazz and in July the "Festa delle Piazzette," a food and music festival held in the various piazzas.
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana - 15Km
The main market town and administration centre of the area. It is a focal point for outdoor pursuits for example walking and mountain biking. The old town centre and city walls are worth a visit where you can enjoy a coffee at one of the pavement cafes.
Lucca - 36 Km
The completely walled medieval heart of the city has two definite sides. By day the centre has a slow, leisurely feel which encourages you to take two hours to do something that should normally take 30 minutes. By night the city takes on a more mysterious feel. It is well worth making the effort to pay a visit just as the sun is setting. You can hire bicycles and ride the circuit of the city walls (approximately 6km), or you may want to relax at a café table, order a coffee and watch the world go by.
Pisa - 50 Km
How on earth does the tower remain standing? The tower, duomo, baptistery and cemetery are all on the same site, the Campo dei Miracoli, at Pisa and well worth a visit.Florence - 100 Km (approx.)
The list of things to see is endless - the Duomo and Bell tower, the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio, the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens, and Santa Croce with the tombs and memorials to Italian national heroes; Galileo, Rossini, Puccini, Dante, amongst many others.
Sommocolonia - 3 Km
The hilltop village looking down on Barga, Sommocolonia or "Colony on the summit" has an interesing and moving second world war history.The village dates back to Roman times and was once large and thriving, though now it is a sleepy village of about 50 inhabitants.Abetone - 55 Km (approx.)
Is the local snow resort, but it is a good place to visit at all year round for walking in the mountains and taking in the spectacular views. The resort has six chair lifts which are tested to the full during the skiing season.The Sea - 68 Km
Barga is within easy reach of seaside towns such as Viareggio.