A wander at the Desco

Yesterday, Sunday, as a good Lucca citizen I went to the Desco. Unquestionably enjoyable. I bought a lot of nice little treats that I enjoyed for dinner on the same evening… 

But this isn’t what I want to tell you about. There are two things I would like to talk about.

For the first time in my life (how shameful!! ) I went into the Real Collegio, going through the courtyard of San Frediano. It is a true marvel. I asked myself why it is always closed and if I was the only one who had never been there…today I’m going back, because it  seemed to me a magical place. Apart from the fact that I have a predilection for cloisters … but this one, abandoned and nearly crumbling down is a forgotten jewel. 

The second thing that I’d like to say deals with a completely different matter. 

When I got back home from the Desco I went on the Desco’s official website  Il Desco 2011

It is very fun and colorful. The links to various blogs is interesting. But one thing caught my attention straight away. There isn’t an English version of this website. So, is this event for Italians only?

We are in November, low season, so why is nothing done to promote among the foreign travelers? It seemed to me a bit of a contradiction due to the fact that Lucca is a city that lives mainly on a foreing tourism. The council, province and chamber of commerce etc. have been organizing for years a really nice event like this one and they’re not  promoting it in English?? It seems a great paradox to me. In fact amongst all my clients who were here in November nobody knew what and where the Desco was. I was surprised. 

On top of that it lasts four weeks and  I think it could attract many tourists to Italy and Tuscany during this low season. Those who travel in Italy during November and December are a "out-of-season traveler"  and surely can appreciate even more the elegance and sophistication of this event.  

Without considering that generally it takes place concomitance with another event of great relevance, the digital photo festival http://www.lupf.it/

I think that this local artistic and cultural union could bring to Lucca a lot more people…without necessarily arriving at the same type of ‘invasion’ of people that the Comics event brings…surely it doesn’t have a good start off if they don’t even advertising it in English…

Ok…I’ll advertise the Desco on my Blog and website…because when tourists, of any country, find themselves in these contests which are so ‘local’, they would surely love it... they will be happy and they will spend good words of Me and of Lucca!! 

Also If the Tourism Offices of Lucca would help me promoting The Desco with an english version of their website... they would make my life much easier and they would also make many property-owners of mine very happy. 

Irony aside, I must say that The Desco and The LuPF are really another reason to visit Lucca in the late fall. 

I really thing it's worth a visit. Even without these two events... Lucca is really beautiful in November.. as it reconciles with itself. I do also ... and everything takes place in a different atmosphere.

I mean that everything is different from Summer and September... when you have the crowds all around.. and yes it is beautiful, alive, happy, coloured.. but for those - like me and maria - who are working while the crowds is enjoying their holiday... it is very tiring. 

Lucca in November reconciles with itself. very few people all around, silence, quiteness... and I love it... it remind me when I was a child... 

…When I was a child Lucca was so different … nobody knew it!

Lucca was completely unknown. Not only all around the World.. even in Italy itself. Nobody knew where Lucca was. I remember when I went on holiday with my parents and met some other children I had to explain that Lucca was a small town in the north of Tuscany: “ Tuscany.. do you know it? The region above Rome… you might have heard about Florence?”  I know you hardly believe it, but that’s the truth!

Nowadays, when the high season has finished, after the comics festival… in November everything seems returned to the past. 

.. and to finish this post I I’d like to spare a few words for Emilio and his staff from Eco-Guide who -in my opinion- is doing amazing work. They will accompany you in your Trekking in our area helping you to discover such a beautiful land. You can find him at The Desco... and from them is also the lovely vegetable garden in the first courtyard.... Don't miss it!

I’d love to have my table set that way everyday!! 

Ezio Ricci, l'arte per l'arte

It is with great pleasure that I give you the following news. From December the 16th to January the 16th, an exhibition in honour of Ezio Ricci, by the care of Fondazione Banca del Monte, will be held in Lucca, Piazza San Martino. 


I know that the majority of you, Italians, Lucchesi and foreigners, does not know him. 


I strongly believe he's worth a few words. 


He was an artist born in Lucca (1885-1968), who's talent lied in real life painting. 
He studied at the Istituto di Belle Arti in Lucca and then became professor of decorative arts at the Accademia di belle arti in Perugia. 
Once returned to his home town and he taught at the Istituto di Belle Arti in Lucca.  The majority of his paintings from this period where lost or part of private collections. 
He then became director of the Istituto till 1961. 
Throughout his life, many exhibitions all over Italy showed his paintings : in 1923 at the Quadriennale di Torino, in 1926 at the Esposizione Nazionale di Roma, The Mostra Regionale Toscana di Firenze in 1931 and 1942 and the Mostra Internazionale d'arte Contemporanea di Rome in 1955. He also had many personal exhibitions in Lucca and the last one was held in 1980. 
Ezio Ricci had great passion and love for his land, from the Garfagnana region to the city's historical centre, and for his beloved family. His paintings portrayed scenes from everyday life, members of his family, city landscapes and countryside life. 

The most striking thing, is that neither him or his family have ever tried to make a real business out of his talent, it was driven by pure passion for the arts. 







I came to know the paintings of this artist a while ago, when I had the pleasure to meet his nephew, and fell immediately in love with his work. I have worked, and still do at this day, with his nephew for the rentals of his properties. The paintings have always been exposed and hung on the walls of these apartments, which on my web-site are named ANGELO CUSTODE, and I have always tried to enhance the beauty and importance of these works of art. I have received many confirmations from all of our clients, who have been enthusiastic about being able to observe them. 
Therefore I invite everyone to see this exhibition and to appreciate the simplicity, the taste and elegance of this great Lucchese artist...who maybe, as of now less unknown. 




I am honoured to introduce you to this timeless, great artist, who represents the culture and history of our beautiful city.      


Below, some paintings at the Angelo Custode apartments

Angelo Custode Ground - Living Room

Angelo Custode Third - Living Room

Angelo Custode Third - Living Room

Angelo Custode Noble - Reading Room