More Barga

We have stayed close to Barga most of this last week. Walking the streets and wandering into shops and cafes, we have bought food from most everywhere that sells vegetables or fruit. Even the local barber shop got some of our business. Within the small area within the walls of Barga there are 4 churches, they are really close together literally less than a stones throw. The 4th which is the farthest away from us is where mass was held on Sunday (it is a 4 minute walk) Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata. It is too bad we didn’t capture the sound of the bells ringing Sunday morning with the echo inside of the town. There was a baptism held at the mass (young Giorgio). Another open market was set up through the streets of Barga on Sunday, it really livened up compared to how quiet it was mid week on the streets. We went into Lucca which is about 40 minutes from Barga, you can really get carried away with all of this history. It said Lucca was founded in 180 BC in the info center and that it was converted to Christianity by one of St. Peter’s disciples Paulinus who became the first bishop of Lucca. Haven’t quite figured out what the Puccini connection is yet but figured we may as well take a picture. We will head out in the morning and make our way south but probably not before at least hitting one more café before hitting the road.