VILLA AGNESE: LA VISTA

Vico Pancellorum, with its 9th to 11th Century church, has a history going back to Roman times, the remains of the Roman village being just up the hill from the present medieval village. It was only in the 1960s that the village attained road access, having been largely self-sufficient up until that time. It is situated in the wooded country of the Appenines, just North of Lucca, and near the celebrated thermal resort of Bagni di Lucca, much visited by Byron, Shelley, the Barrett-Brownings, Heinrich Heine and other literary figures.

Day trips may easily be made to Pisa, Florence, Bologna and the walled City of Lucca with its designer shops, monthly antique market, wonderful Piazzas and many fine restaurants, bars & cafes to wet the appetite, not to mention Cinque Terre, Barga and the beaches at Viareggio. Bagni di Lucca provides all local shopping facilities, as well as an attractive swimming pool complex. Marked walking trails lead to Balzo Nero, Croce di Castello and other places. For those ski enthusiasts, Vico is only 40 mins from the Abetone Ski Resort. Offering a large number runs covering three main mountains.

Vico Pancellorum is fortunate in modern times to be the home of the renowned restaurant, the Buca di Baldabò, where exquisite meals may be enjoyed at modest prices. The restaurant is about a 5 minute walk from the house, along the narrow cobbled streets.