Our farm is located in a wild area on the western side of the Tuscan Emilian
Apennines at an altitude of 1,040 metres above sea level, in the borough of
Bagni di Lucca, hamlet of Albereta, bordered on the north by the natural
haven of the Botri orrido and the Tuscan Emilian Apennines, to the east by
the oasis of the Balzo Nero, on the south by the valley dug over the years
by the Serchio river and precisely along this valley, on the clearest days,
we can glimpse the Gorgona and Capraia islands, part of the Tuscan Archipelago,
rising over the horizon. Westwards the Apuan Alps separate us from the Tyrrhenian sea.
Thanks to a mild climate which enjoys the year-round mitigating influence of the
sea and the fresh pure air which descends from the nearby Apennines, this area
has always been considered as a health resort perfect for children and the elderly
as well as nature lovers and victims of modern stress. This corner of paradise was
used by our grandparents as a summer pasture and still remains uncontaminated to this day.
For reasons tied to my father’s work (postal clerk) my family moved to the nearby
village of Montefegatesi, from the city of Lucca, in 1978. We purchased a small
piece of land in Albereta, abandoned and overgrown for years, as the post-war years
robbed the land of many of its workers. With difficulty we succeeded in getting
back some arable fields; we planted fruit trees which now produce succulent delicacies;
the first fruit trees were planted by my great grandfather Tonino (1888-1982). Over
the years my parents continued to purchase other derelict buildings and lands and
during the mid 80s we opened the farm, producing cut flowers (lilies and peonies).
Today after many sacrifices I have tried to develop the farm dedicating to it the
time it requires. So, thanks also to my work of bricklayer, two homes
“La casa di Maria” (Marisa’s house) (previous owner)
and “La casa del fattore” (The Farmer’s house),
fully independent from the farm have been refurbished.
The newly built Lodge "Il Casolare"
is available from 2012 year; built in free stone according to ancient traditions, on the ground floor you can find our character-full local restaurant and on the first floor the rooms which each cater for 2+1.
Our guests will be able to enjoy total relaxation in these lodgings. They have been
completely renovated in stone and furnished in a manner in harmony with the setting.
The windows are paintings where facing out of them you can see the marvels of this location.
The restaurant (tastings of local produce), bedrooms with en suite bathroom, playground,
swimming pool and other various kinds of entertainment are in the construction phase.
We also grow potatoes of Albereta known throughout the province and beyond, sought
after by food connoisseurs. We also grow different kinds of beans, and we are experimenting
with the cultivation of the flower to make saffron. For some years we have dedicated
ourselves to bee keeping, to produce excellent honey of acacia, chestnut, and heather
which is also the name of my sweet better half (blessed woman), honey which should obtain
the DOP certification within a few years.
The beating of chestnuts - Ancient method - Photo by
David Bonaventuri
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"Il Casolare"
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| "La casa di Marisa" |
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| "La casa del fattore" |
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