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PIAN DI FIUME FARM and farm-house accomodation
The farm, located in a beautiful and sunny spot on the right bank of the Lima torrent, has been developed following all the architectural regulations and a careful restoration work of the old Mediaeval village, pian di Fiume, after wich it is named. It is only 2 Km from the historical Spa of Bagni di Lucca and centrally located with regards to the numerous villages rich in cultural and natural interests that are all nestled on the mountains of the Lima valley.
The farm is the forefront in the observance of the environment, both in the use of natural material such as cork, wood, stone and fired bricks and in the use of partially alternative energy: a phytopurification plant for rain water outlet and recovery.
The recently opened farm-house accomodation presents its guest with several biological productions as well as numerous activities related to agriculture and the environment (such as bee-keeping, growing and processing of medicinal herbs and ornamental plants, mycology and phytoterapy courses). Guest can also take long walks, rent a mountain bike, go horse riding or join rafting and canoeing courses in the Lima torrent.
The Territory
Bagni di Lucca, province of Lucca, is 150 mts a.s. and has a strategic geographical position, located in a greeny, fresh area, surrounded by hills; its only half an hour-drive from the Abetone, from the ancient city of Lucca and its very close to the Garfagnana and Alpi Apuane area, too. In 40 minutes you can reach Viareggio and the whole Versilia and in one hour youre in Florence. The easiest and shortest way to get to Bagni di Lucca is by traveling onto the State Road n.12 (Lucca-Abetone) or by train (Lucca-Aulla). For further information, please call the tourist Promotion Office (Azienda di Promozione Turistica) at the 0583-87946 or the Spa Center at 0583-87221, open from April to November.
Spa, Tourism, Tradition
Even in ancient times, when means of transport were very few and slow, the Spa of Bagni di Lucca were well-known and people used to go there; many Ligurian, Longobard, Etruscan and Roman findings have witnessed the presence of these peoples on this wonderful and rich territory. In 1100, thanks to its fame, Matilde di Canossa thought about how to get there more easily and improved all the ways to access the area, not forgetting the renowned Devil Bridge. During the XVth Century , the thermal estabilments were of such a high level that they represented the only Italian Spa centers which could be compared to other European ones, such as Karlsbad,Spa,Baden,Vichy and Plombiθres. In 1581,Michel de Montagne, the most famous personality of France after the king, went there to cure his kidney stones and stayed there for 73 days, solving his health problem: no other Spa center had had the capability to heal his pain. Many other renowned personalities used to attend this thermal center and among them we remember Byron, Shelley, the Browning, Lever, Giusti, Monti, Oviola, Carducci, Pascoli and recently we cannot forget de nobel piza for poetry: Mr. Eugenio Montale. Some popular writers and musicians benefitted from these warm and pleasant waters: Dumas, Heine, Lamar tine, Strauss, Lists, Paganini, Tosti, Puccini and Mascagni, and we shall not forget some politicians such as DAzeglio, Galeazzo Ciano, Queen Margherita and Napoleons family. Some religious personalities too appreciated Bagni di Lucca, its climate, its waters and its territory: San Luigi, I Gonzaga, St Gemma Galgani, Papa Sisto IV and Sisto V. These healing waters were studied and tested by some of the most eminent doctors and physicians of all times such as Gentile da Foligno and Ugolino da Montecatini who first founded the thermalism in Italy and who wrote about the vertus of these waters during the XIIIth and XIVth century. After them, even Francesco Redi, Pietro Mattioli, Falloppio, Benvenuti, Franceschi and Carina wrote many other important pages about hydrotherapy and medicine in general. During the last thirty years the thermal center of Bagni di Lucca, (and B. di Lucca itself ) has looked for private and not for public investments acting differently from other italian spa towns and this is the reason why its image, its public image has not been enlighted and enhanced enough to enable people to know it as well as other thermal centers. In spite of this, the nice weather, the therapeutical properties of the waters and the brilliant atmosphere of Bagni di Lucca cannot be denied.
A NATURAL PARADISE
The peculiar and particular geographical and hydrogeological position has allowed the development of some special natural milieux which have always been visited, studied and admired by geologists and people fond of nature. Here are the names of some unforgettable places which cam be undoubtedly be considered as heaven on earth; Orrido di Botri, Pratofiorito, Balzo nero, Penna di Lucchio and Strette di Cocciglia. Wild pigs, foxes, hawks, eagles, roebucks, squirrels live in these places which represent their homes and many different kinds of secular trees and delicious mushrooms grow here. To be remembered: Bagni di Lucca is the largest mountain comune of Italy.
A PARADISE OF HISTORY, ART AND ARCHITECTURE
Many important and remarkable men and women built some marvellous buildings in Bagni di Lucca, let us just remind the english church, the protestant cemetery, the Casinς (the first in Europe), the Royal villa, the Demidoff Hospital, Circolo dei Forestieri, villa Fiori, villa Ada, Bagno alla Villa, and Ponte delle catene. Moreover, the surrounding mountain villages all preserve some medieval buildings and remainings, all rich in history, tradition and habits that nowadays are lost.
SPORT
There are neither problems nor difficulties if some sports want to be practiced: there are four swimming pools with thermal water, a stadium and two tennis courts as well as some riding grounds, and rafting and canoa lessons can be taken. You can also fish into the stream Lima and some beautiful mountain paths are the ideal place if you want to ride your mountain bike or simply take a walk.
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The structure
