Category: Events in Tuscany

Murabilia 10 years and growing

It’s the biggest visitor attraction in Lucca after Comics & Games. Last year 23.000 people – gardeners, aspiring gardeners, and simply those who like the outdoor life passed though the turnstiles of Murabilia.
This year, from 3-5 September, we can once again enjoy this uniquely lucchese event. For those who may not be immediately turned on by the idea of a garden show, reflect on what is on offer. Over 250 stalls from all over Italy and Europe. from Rome, the biggest bookshop in Italy dealing with flowers, gardens, floral art, and the great outdoors. Suppliers of outdoor clothes, garden furniture and tools, everything for the good life “all’aperto”.

For the house-proud, dried flowers and plant products. For foodies a central theme of the exhibition will be edible plants, everything from chocolate, chestnuts and aubergines to rice, not forgetting farro of course, an initiative also supported by local restaurants. Bonsai Opuntia, which maybe you know as prickly pears.
The annual marrow competition who has the biggest zucca in Lucca? And who doesn’t love orchids?
All in the unique setting of the ancient city walls, from San regolo round to san salvatore in the south-east of Lucca. Don’t miss this annual celebration of the earth at its most bountiful.

Murabilia opens at 12 noon on Friday 3 September.
Opening hours: 12.00 – 7.30 pm, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September.
Daily entrance euro 7,00; 2 day ticket euro 11,00; 3 day ticket euro 14,00.
Children under 9 free.
For more information see www.murabilia.com

Barga proclaims itself “the most Scottish town in Italy”. These two articles give some idea why. First, Sonia Ercolini describes the town’s own very special summer “sagra”.

The Barga Fish and Chips Festival started from 23rd July to 19th August. every evening from 7.30 pm onwards you can try out our special fish and chips, fried in the best traditional Barga-Scottish way. As a matter of fact some of the very first restaurants to serve fish and chips in Scotland were opened up by our very own “barghigiani” when they emigrated there at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.

When many of these emigrants came back to Italy, traditional fish and chips then made its appearance in Barga. In the early 1980’s to honour the history of the Barga emigrants, the barga Sports Association decided to put fish and chips on the menu at the traditional “Muletto” Festival. It was so successful that it gradually became the “Fish and Chips Festival”. Lately the success of the Festival has also been recognised in the UK with coverage in the “The Indipendent” newspapaer and special BBC TV report.

At the Festival, other tasty dishes are served alongside the traditional fish and chips: various first courses, grilled meat, cold dishes and typical home-made cakes and dessert.
The event is held at the Barga Football Stadium the “J. Moscardini Stadium”. The stadium is completely covered so you can eat there even in bad weather.

After dinner, entertainment guaranteed with live music and dancing and special evenings dedicated to piano-bar, karaoke and the 60’s, 70’s and 80’smusic. There is also a special play area where children can enjoy themselves in safety on “bouncy castle” games. Come along and enjoy the fun and the fish and chips.

Web-site:  www.asbarga.com