18th October - Frank's birthday
Too tired to walk to the Sommocolonia, a village on a hill above Barga.(so we had to drive) Access is via the narrowest of roads, so it was a big surprise to see that there was a bus stop up there, just glad we didn't encounter the bus on our way up or down. It would have to take the prize as the quietest town we have encountered on our travels - not a soul was seen, Frank said he heard 2 women talking, but all I heard was a dog bark. The town was hit hard in WW2 by US fire, most of the town including the church destroyed, but belltower saved. Looks like all forgiven as there are several US flags around and a memorial to a US soldier. There is also mention of the "Buffalo soldiers" 92nd Infantry Div, all black soldiers who dug in in the area againt the Germans most losing their lives. After the war there was no mention of them in official US reports.
That's all, tomorrow we drive to Milan for flight home on Saturday.
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Sommocolonia established by Romans as fortress & lookout
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Sommocolonia
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Sommocolonia
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Sommocolonia belltower, one of few original structures left after WW2
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View down to Barga from Sommocolonia
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