A route through the natural wonders and folk legends between Bagni di Lucca and Borgo a Mozzano
Along the course of the River Serchio, in its Apennine descent, places of ancient beauty lie in wait: canyons carved out of the rocks, green valleys and thermal springs. According to popular tradition, this jagged landscape is home to sprites, witches, angels, dragons, and even the Devil himself.
The journey begins in Bagni di Lucca, one of the most elegant spas in Europe during the 19th century and where today the Bagno Bernabó spa is located.
Popular legend holds that beneath Bagni Caldi and the nearby Porto a Serraglio there lies a volcano, to which the thermal activity would be due. According to old tradition the resorts used to open only on the first Friday of March, when the Angel of the baths would release the hot waters and renew the spa's therapeutic properties.
The journey begins in Bagni di Lucca, one of the most elegant spas in Europe during the 19th century and where today the Bagno Bernabó spa is located.
Popular legend holds that beneath Bagni Caldi and the nearby Porto a Serraglio there lies a volcano, to which the thermal activity would be due. According to old tradition the resorts used to open only on the first Friday of March, when the Angel of the baths would release the hot waters and renew the spa's therapeutic properties.
Following the popular folk tales, we arrive at the straits of Cocciglia, a tormented stretch of the Lima dotted with swirls and whirlpools and under whose rocks, it is said, lurks a dragon.
Legends we find also in the Botri Gorge, a narrow ravine dug out by the Pelago stream, still in the Bagni di Lucca municipality. You can descend into the canyon and lose yourself in a landscape from The Lord of the Rings, where you might even see a golden eagle. They say that Dante came down to these parts and here found inspiration for his images of hell.
Following the popular folk tales, we arrive at the straits of Cocciglia, a tormented stretch of the Lima dotted with swirls and whirlpools and under whose rocks, it is said, lurks a dragon.
Legends we find also in the Botri Gorge, a narrow ravine dug out by the Pelago stream, still in the Bagni di Lucca municipality. You can descend into the canyon and lose yourself in a landscape from The Lord of the Rings, where you might even see a golden eagle. They say that Dante came down to these parts and here found inspiration for his images of hell.
To find a trace of the Evil One, you don't need to go very far; just get to Borgo a Mozzano, where you will come to the Ponte della Maddalena, better known as the Ponte del Diavolo (Devil's Bridge), once the only way to reach Bagni di Lucca. The bridge dates back to the year 1000 and its arches are asymmetrical: the central one is so much higher than the others that it seems to defy the laws of gravity. For this reason, the locals say that the Devil himself was the builder, asking to be paid with the first soul to cross it. The story goes that the townspeople sent across a goat kid, and so got the better of Beelzebub.
To find a trace of the Evil One, you don't need to go very far; just get to Borgo a Mozzano, where you will come to the Ponte della Maddalena, better known as the Ponte del Diavolo (Devil's Bridge), once the only way to reach Bagni di Lucca. The bridge dates back to the year 1000 and its arches are asymmetrical: the central one is so much higher than the others that it seems to defy the laws of gravity. For this reason, the locals say that the Devil himself was the builder, asking to be paid with the first soul to cross it. The story goes that the townspeople sent across a goat kid, and so got the better of Beelzebub.