If you proceed further along the Via di Mezzo, next to the Palazzo Mordini, you will find the 17th Century Palazzo Bertacchi where many famous people have stayed in the past including the Grand Dukes of Tuscancy, Pietro Leopoldo I (1787) and Leopoldo II (1846). This palazzo was bought a few decades ago by the Barga painter Bruno Cordati (1890-1979), one of Italy's greatest twentieth century artists who, together with Magri and Balduini exhibited at the Biennale of Venice. Today his works are being critically re-evaluated through the efforts of his family and of his grandson, Giordano Martinelli, in particular. Inside the palazzo is a permanent exhibition which is open to the public in the summer and at other times of the year on request to the family (tel. 0583/723450 - 050/36105). On the ground floor of the same building, the Russian artist and engraver Swietlan Kraczyna, has held for many years a specialised course in colour printing which attracts artists from all over the world. Kraczyna was educated in the United States and is an internationally known artist as well as a recognised and respected figure in Barga.

Part of the permanent collection of the works of Bruno Cordati.

In front of the Palazzo Bertacchi, now Cordati, is another magnificent 17th Century building. This is the palazzo that belonged to the Pieracchi family, now extinct, whose patrimony was inherited by the Bertacchi. The palazzo itself then came into the hands of the Salvi family who were relations of the artist and engraver Adolfo Balduini, alluded to previously. In fact Balduini lived in the top floor of this building which he entered from the back from Via del Pretorio. On either side of the building are the small passageways, Vicolo Pieracchi and Vicolo del Pretorio, respectively. Between the latter and the next passageway, Vicolo del Sole, there is also a very old free-standing building, but of less importance than the others.

To the side of the Palazzo Bertacchi-Cordati is a building which used to belong to the Lugani family, now extinct. In the past this building was used by the Waldensians for their religious meetings.

Small stone head in bas relief on the facade of the Palazzo Lugani.

Further up on the right, between Vicolo del Sole and Vicolo del Teatro is another imposing building, now owned by the Stefani family. This palazzo was built in the second half of the 13th Century by a family called Bertacchi which became extinct at the end of the 19th Century, but which does not have any known connection with the Bertacchis who owned the other buildings already mentioned.

Next to this palazzo is the 18th Century theatre of the "Differenti", the name being taken from the name of the Academy which built it. This theatre is of great interest both artistically and culturally and has a long and fascinating history. It was first built in wood in the year 1689, but a little more than a century later it was considered inadequate for the activities that were to take place there and so between 1793 and 1795 it was knocked down and rebuilt in the form that is seen today. The work was financed by members of the Academy, originally called the "The Indifferenti", which was founded in 1688, and which later changed its name to the Academy of the "Differenti". The elaborate and sumptuous decorations on the inside of the theatre are the work of Francesco Fontanesi, a painter from Reggio Emilia who, at the time, was the scenographer for most of the major theatres in Tuscany. Plays and operas are still performed in the theatre and, in its time, many a famous personage has walked its boards. On November 26, 1911, Giovanni Pascoli gave his famous speech in favour of the war with Libya, entitled "The great proletariat is on the move", and a stone plaque was erected to record the event.

In more recent times the theatre fell into disuse for a while because it did not conform to the strict safety laws for public entertainments. It was then bought by the town council who, with a reconstruction project financed principally by European funding, completely renovated it in line with current law. It is now modernised and outfitted so that it can be used to its full potential.

The reorganisation of the space outside the theatre has been the subject of much criticism. It is, in fact, not only quite different from the original, but also different from the reorganisation carried out after the last war when a number of buildings damaged by bombs were knocked down completely and small green areas were created.

The Theatre of the Differenti.

The Stalls and Theatre boxes of the Theatre

Accommodation in Barga By popular request: the list of hotels in Barga, plus, links to houses and apartments to rent or buy in Barga

Giovanni Pascoli 1855-1912 I Canti di Castelvecchio - complete text (In Italiano)

Osteria Angelio peek in at the people eating in the osteria . What does a plate of farro look like ? The Osteria Web Cam reveals all. ( in English, Italiano)

Low Resolution Poetry
Tiziana Fontana is the only artist in Barga using this almost invisble form of poetry ( In Italiano )

2001 winner: SURPRISE "OUTSIDER" WINS