Barga

Barga is a town with 10,146 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2012) in the province of Lucca. It is the main town in the middle Serchio Valley (Media Valle del Serchio valley ). Tourism is an important industry in the city.

Geography

The districts include Albiano, Castelvecchio Pascoli, Filecchio, Fornaci di Barga, Loppia, Mologno, Ponte all'Ania, Renaio, San Pietro in Campo, Sommocolonia and Tiglio.

The neighboring municipalities are Coreglia Antelminelli, Fosciandora, Gallicano, Molazzana and Pievepelago (MO)

Culture and sights

The old town Bargas is on a hill, which is crowned by the Romanesque cathedral. Besides the cathedral there is the Praetorian Palace. It was built in the 14th century and was the official residence of the Florentine administrator of the city, today there is a museum.

In the baroque Teatro dei Differenti an opera festival ( Opera Barga ) takes place every year. There is also a Jazz Festival ( Barga Jazz ).

Because of its historically developed cultural links to Scotland Barga is nicknamed "The most Scottish town in Italy".

The city is a member of Cittaslow, a company incorporated in Italy in 1999 motion to decelerate and increase the quality of life in cities. She is also a part of the community, the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Twinning

The town of Barga maintains twinned with East Lothian in Scotland, with Hayange in Lorraine and with the Swedish town Gällivare in Lapland.

Sons and daughters

• Gualtiero Jacopetti (1919-2011), director of documentary
• Renzo Casali (1939-2010), author, theater and film-makers

Connected to Barga

The poet Giovanni Pascoli lived from 1895 to 1912 near Barga and is buried here. In his former home is a museum.