Bagni di Lucca

Bagni di Lucca
—  Comune  —
Comune di Bagni di Lucca
Coat of arms
Bagni di Lucca Location of Bagni di Lucca in Italy
Coordinates: 44°0′34″N 10°34′46″E / 44.00944°N 10.57944°E / 44.00944; 10.57944
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Lucca
Frazioni	Bagni Caldi, Benabbio, Brandeglio, Casabasciana, Casoli, Cocciglia, Crasciana, Fabbriche di Casabasciana, Fornoli, Granaiola, Isola, La Villa, Limano, Lucchio, Lugliano, Montefegatesi, Monti di Villa, Palleggio, Pieve di Contron, Pieve di Monti di Villa, Ponte a Serraglio, San Cassiano di Controni, San Gemignano, Val Fegana, Vico Pancellorum (list is incomplete)
Government
• Mayor	Giancarlo Donati (Forza Italia)
Area
• Total	164.65 km2 (63.57 sq mi)
Elevation	150 m (490 ft)
Population (2008)
• Total	6,541
• Density	40/km2 (100/sq mi)
Demonym	Bagnaioli
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	55022
Dialing code	0583
Patron saint	Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Saint day	29 June
Website	Official website

Bagni di Lucca (formerly Bagno a Corsena) is a comune of Tuscany, Italy, in the Province of Lucca with a population of c. 6,500.

History

Bagni di Lucca was known for its thermal springs since the Etruscan and Roman Ages.

The locality was quoted for the first time in an official document dating back to 983, with reference to a donation of the territory of Bagni di Lucca to Fraolmo of Corvaresi by the Bishop Teudogrimo.

Between the 10th and 11th centuries the village became a feudal property and it belonged first to the Suffredinghi family, then to the Porcareschi and later to the Lupari. In the 12th century the commune of Lucca occupied the territory of Bagni di Lucca. In 1308 Lucca unified the community of Bagni di Lucca to those ones of the close villages and thus formed a Vicarship named "Vicarship of the Lima valley".

During the 14th century Lucca, taking in account the economic profits coming from the thermal springs of Bagni di Lucca, restored the town and transformed it in a relaxing and enjoyable oasis that was attended also by numerous famous foreign people.

Bagni di Lucca and its thermal baths reached its maximum splendour in the 19th century, especially during the French occupation. Bagni di Lucca became the summer residence of the Napoleon's court and of his sister, Elisa Baciocchi. At this time a Casino was built and it offered to the society life gambling rooms and also a large hall where the dancing nights took place.

At the Congress of Vienna (1814) Bagni di Lucca, as part of the Duchy of Lucca, was assigned to the Bourbon Maria-Louisa, Sovereign of Parma.^[1] It continued as a popular summer resort, particularly for the English, who had a Church there (still extant).^[2] In 1847^[3] Lucca with Bagni di Lucca was ceded to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, under the domain of the Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine. His rule started a period of decline for the thermal activity and the Casino, since he was used to lead a secluded life. In 1853 the Casino was closed though later reopened after Lucca was included a unified Italy (1861)^[4] Kingdom of Italy.

In the meantime, the economy increased in different ways: the inhabitants developed an artistic craftsmanship carrying out the manufacture of paperboard, chalk and plastic.

Main sights

In the valley of the Serchio, c. 5 km below Ponte a Serraglio, is the medieval Ponte della Maddalena (circa 1100), with its lofty central arch. It is also known as Ponte del Diavolo. Notable is also the pieve (rural parish church) of San Cassiano, known from 722, housing a St. Martin Riding by Jacopo della Quercia and other Renaissance paintings. Other Renaissance works can be found in the pieve of San Paolo a Vico Pancellorum (known from 873).

In the frazione of Bagno Caldo is a hospital constructed largely at the expense of Nicholas Demidoff in 1826.

Hot springs

The commune is known for its springs which are situated in the valley of the Lima River, a tributary of the Serchio river. The district is known in the early history of Lucca as the Vicaria di Val di Lima. Ponte Serraglio is the principal village of the warm spring area, but there are warm springs and baths also at Villa, Docce Bassi, and Bagno Caldo. The springs do not seem to have been known to the Romans. Bagno a Corsena is first mentioned in 1284 by Guidone de Corvaia, a Pisan historian (Muratori, R.I.S. vol. xxii.).

Fallopius, who gave the springs credit for the cure of his own deafness, sounded their praises in 1569; and they have been more or less in fashion since. The temperature of the water varies from 36°C to 54°C. In all cases, the springs give off carbonic acid gas and contain lime, magnesium and sodium products.

Economy

The local economy is mainly based on tourism, thanks both to the thermal springs, that are well known for the beneficial properties of its waters, and to the presence of numerous and qualified hotels. Remarkable is also the industrial field with numerous mechanical industries and factories producing paper and building materials.

References