A charming Italian nona, out for a walk and a smoke in the morning.
It was sad to say goodbye to Rome. It was three days only but we fell in love with this city. We’ll definitely come back.
The girls were super excited for their first train trip in Europe.
We headed to Pietrasanta to meet my old friend Ophelie and her family. I met Ophelie, 21 years ago when we were roommates in London, England. We were both English students and even though we only lived together for three months, we got really close to each other, since we were both away from our families for the first time.
More than 20 years went by and here we are again. We have gotten older, each one became a family of four (with husband and kids), but it feels like time has not passed. Ophelie is the same gentle and sweet girl I shared a room with in London two decades ago.
Ophelie explained to us that this used to be a laid back artists town, but has become really popular with tourists, therefore expensive for locals. A classic story of gentrification. She was sweet enough to linvite us to stay in one incredible beautiful and cozy two bedroom apartment in the centre, normally available for tourists in the summer. The place is gorgeous and spacious with its super high ceilings and a simple artsy European decoration. In the fridge we found fresh food for our breakfast, as well as other groceries Ophelie previously left on the table for us. Wow! What a reception!
Pietrasanta is a town and comune on the coast of northern Tuscany in Italy, in the province of Lucca. Pietrasanta is part of Versilia, on the last foothills of the Apuan Alps, about 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Pisa. The town is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) off the coast, where the frazione of Marina di Pietrasanta is located.
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietrasanta)
The town has Roman origins and part of the Roman wall still exists.
The medieval town was founded in 1255 upon the pre-existing "Rocca di Sala" fortress of the Lombards by Luca Guiscardo da Pietrasanta, from whom it got its name. Pietrasanta was at its height a part of the Republic of Genoa (1316–1328). The town is first mentioned in 1331 in records of Genoa, when it became a part of the Lucca along with the river port of Motrone, and was held until 1430. At that time it passed back to Genoa until 1484, when it was annexed to the Medici held seigniory of Florence.
In 1494, Charles VIII of France took control of the town. It remained a Luccan town again until Pope Leo X, a member of the Medici family, gave Pietrasanta back to his family.
The town suffered a long period of decline during the 17th and 18th centuries, partially due to malaria. In 1841, Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany promoted several reconstruction projects (including the building of schools specially created to teach carving skills, and the reopening of the once famous quarries).
The town then became the capital of the Capitanato di Pietrasanta, which included the towns of Forte dei Marmi, Seravezza and Stazzema (this region became the historical heart of Versilia). The town joined the newly unified Italian Kingdom in 1861.
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietrasanta)
The area, like most of Tuscany in general, has long enjoyed the patronage of artists. Pietrasanta grew to importance during the 15th century, mainly due to its connection with marble. Michelangelo was the first sculptor to recognize the beauty of the local stone.
Inside one of the main churches.
So far, the best gelatto on this trip, according to Mike.
The kids were running around everywhere.
After hanging out in downtown for a bit we went see their beautiful place on the edge of a mountain, surrounded by olive trees, with a view of the town and the ocean. Ophelie cooked this amazing Italian local food, Tordelli, a pasta served with a ragu sauce. And her authentic Italian Tuscany husband was equally awesome host and filled our glasses up with sparkling wine and red wine.
Our kids got along really well, even though they spoke different languages. It was a really pleasant evening, probably the best we will have this whole trip. To me, this is one of the best things in life… meeting people, saying goodbye, turning around the corner years later and meeting them again in another time, space and environment, still feeling the connection. Thank you Ophelie, Dominico and kids for making us feel at home and welcome.
We went to bed with a smile on our faces and the desire to come back to Pietrasanta… sometime very soon.
Sculptures of Pietrasanta
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