One of the most beautiful villages in Italy, the most Scottish town in Italy – Barga certainly has titles that intrigue. A medieval hilltop town in Lucca, Tuscany, nestled below the Apuan Alps, Barga boasts of a history of poetry, jazz, and Scotsmen. Property for sale in Barga is considerably budget-friendly. It ranges from doer-uppers, stone built homes benefitting from amazing views, and renovated apartments situated in the incredible historic centre.
Barga is a hilltop Medieval town, 410 metres above sea level, in Lucca, Tuscany. The town is included on the Borghi più belli d'Italia, the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. So, while you can definitely expect beauty – its nestled below the Apuan Alps, the streets are narrow and endearingly old-fashioned, it has charming historic buildings -- Barga offers has a quaint personality all of its own. It has earned the title of the “Most Scottish town in Italy”. In the late 19th century, many people from Barga moved to Scotland looking for work, starting migration between the two. This led to a lasting connection between Barga and Scotland, today, up to 60% of the population can claim Scottish ancestry. Barga even has its own iconic red telephone box. To celebrate ties to Scotland, Barga holds an annual fish and chip festival. In addition, Barga hosts an annual jazz festival every August. So, if you are seeking a feel of Scotland in the sunshine, there’s nowhere better. As well as the intriguing Scottish connection, Barga boasts of lots of fascinating history. It has been awarded the Cittaslow and the Orange Flag Touring Club, both in recognition of the high quality of tourism that the town offers. One must-see building is the Duomo di San Cristoforo, a great example of Romanesque religious architecture. Plus, the Antonio Mordini Civic Museum in the medieval Palazzo Pretori is an exciting place to go. It has palaeontological aspects from the Sericho Valley; archaeological aspects from Barga; art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period; and a centuries-old prison. The town also commemorates the Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli, who resided there. The Teatro dei Differenti, translating to the theatre of the different/deviant, holds many literary and cultural events.
In Barga, the warm season lasts from about June to September. The hottest month is July with an average daily maximum of 24°C. In October, the temperature falls, and the highest temperatures seen are 16 degrees. The coldest month of all is January with an average daily maximum of 9°C.
While Barga does not have its own international airport, both Pisa and Florence international airports are within easy reach. Pisa International Airport is an hour away by car, or closer to three by train or bus. While Florence International Airport is an hour and twenty by car. Luckily, with a property for sale in Barga, you can easily reach other major areas of beautiful Tuscany from the Barga-Gallicao train station. Reach Lucca in 45 minutes; Pisa in an hour and twenty; and Rome in three hours and forty.
Property for sale in Barga is notably affordable. If you have a budget of €50,000 and are prepared to do some renovations, both one-bedroom homes in the historic centre, and, a little further out, family villas, can be found for this price. Moreover, there are some beautiful old stone-build properties for sale, with fantastic views of the Apuan Alps. However, if what you are seeking is a recently renovated property for sale in the historic centre of Barga, then these can be found for under €200,000. If you have a budget of over €500,000, then this will find you either elegant, modern, centally located apartments or beautiful family villas with features such as a private swimming pool, outside of the city. In Barga, what you can get with your budget will definitely stretch further than other, more high-profile areas of Tuscany, such as Florence or Pisa.