Saturday felt like the true beginning of summer in Bagni di Lucca.
The town suddenly seemed to come alive, with not one, not two, but three major cultural events taking place on the same day. In the end, we managed to attend two of them, and both proved well worth the effort.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the inauguration of the restored Villa Ada. For many local people, this was more than just the opening of a building. It was the culmination of a dream that had taken decades to become reality.
The ceremony itself was a reminder of how differently public events are celebrated in Italy compared with Britain. There was the national anthem, treated with genuine respect and pride. There was the town’s vicar’s blessing.There were speeches from the mayor and other local figures. In Italy, speeches are an essential part of any public occasion. Whether it is the opening of a restored villa, a concert, or a community event, there is always time taken to explain the significance of what is happening.

And then, of course, there was the refreshment.
This was no hurried buffet. Everything had been prepared with care and attention, and guests were able to enjoy food and conversation in the beautiful gardens of Villa Ada. The atmosphere was festive, elegant and, above all, hopeful.

The reopening of Villa Ada represents a remarkable achievement. Until 1975 the villa was still occupied by the aristocratic family who owned it. There was an exhibition of photographs showing how the interiors looked then. After they left, the property passed into the hands of the thermal baths company and subsequently after they relinquished it gradually fell into decline. For years it stood as a reminder of better times, and many wondered whether it would ever be restored.

More than one person commented during the afternoon, “I never thought I would see this happen in my lifetime.”
Now, thanks to funding aimed at regenerating historic buildings and town centres, Villa Ada has been given a new future. It will host exhibitions, community events, cultural activities and local groups. It is exactly the sort of project that Bagni di Lucca needs, and one can only hope that local people and visitors alike will support it.
Unfortunately, we were unable to attend the early evening Writers’ Festival event at Villa Webb. This new series of literary evenings promises to bring authors, discussions and book presentations to the town throughout the summer. As someone interested in creative writing, I was sorry to miss it. It is precisely the kind of initiative that enriches a community and connects readers with the people who create books.
Still, the day was far from over.
At 9 p.m.—a perfectly normal starting time in Italy, though perhaps not too suitable for many British visitors—we attended a screening of a film managed and directed locally exploring the relationship between Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Whipple, whose book A Famous Corner of Tuscany remains one of the most charming accounts of Bagni di Lucca.
The film was beautifully made. It combined dramatic reconstructions, historical research and expert interviews to tell a story that was both personal and moving. It portrayed the deep bond between the two women and the sacrifices they made throughout their lives, while also placing their story firmly within the wider history of Bagni di Lucca.
What particularly impressed me was the way the film highlighted the town itself. It reminded the audience why so many international visitors chose Bagni di Lucca as their home or refuge. For generations, the town has been a meeting place of cultures, ideas and people from across the world. In many ways, that international spirit remains part of its identity today.
By the time the film ended, it felt as though we had experienced a whole festival compressed into a single day: the reopening of a historic villa, the launch of a literary programme and a film celebrating an extraordinary chapter in local history.
Not bad for a Saturday.
Sunday, by contrast, was much quieter. A few jobs around the house, a chance to recover, and time to reflect on everything we had seen.
Now Monday approaches, bringing with it the return of ordinary routines. But if Saturday is any indication of what lies ahead, Bagni di Lucca is set for a lively and memorable summer.
And that is life in Bagni di Lucca, 2026. Watch out for plenty more local events on this page!