Barga is a town in the area known as the Garfagnana in the province of Lucca. It is located about 35 kilometers north of the provincial capital Lucca. Like many towns in the region it is characterized by a beautiful walled historic center with within those walls a number of Renaissance buildings.
Barga travel guide
Tourist information
There is no tourist office in Barga. The address of the town hall is Via di Mezzo, 45 – 55051 Barga (Phone: +39 0583 724711).
The railway station Barga-Gallicano is on the line between Lucca and Aulla. There is also a bus connection to Lucca.
Curiosities
The alleys running through this medieval center often have stairs called carraie.
The central square of Barga is called arringo. From this square one has an unforgettable view of the surrounding Apuan Alps.
One unique aspect of Barga is that around 60% of its inhabitants have relatives in Scotland. At the turn of the 19th century, there was poverty in the area. Many inhabitants decided to go to the United States in order to have more opportunities. In order to do this, they had to sail to Scotland first. Some of them decided to stay there, others were tricked into believing that they had already arrived in the U.S.
What to see
The Duomo was built between the 9th and 14th centuries and has a beautiful 12th century pulpit. It is dedicated to Barga’s patron saint, San Cristoforo.
Other ancient churches are the Santissimo Crocifisso Church and the Santissima Annunziata Church.
The 15th century San Francesco Church contains works by Andrea Della Robbia.
The Municipal Museum (Museo Civico) is housed in the Palazzo Pretorio and deals mainly with archaeology.
The most interesting historic buildings are the Palazzo Angeli, the Palazzo Pancrazi, the Palazzo Balduini and the Palazzo Podestà .
What to see outside Barga
In the suburb of Castelvecchio Pascoli you can visit the house and tomb of the poet Giovanni Pascoli. The house, now known as Casa Pascoli, has been transformed into a museum.
Coreglia Antelminelli is a borough with some beautiful churches (the San Michele Church and the 9th century San Martino Church) and the Museum of the Plaster Statue (Museo della Figurina di Gesso).
The Grotta del Vento (“Cave of the Wind”) penetrates 4 kilometers into the mountains and is located in to valley of a small stream called Tùrrite di Gallicano.