Story

Filmmakers Björn Kölz and Gernot Stadler have selected the Torrigiani, Reale, Mansi and Oliva villas for their cinematic journey “The Secret Gardens of Lucca” to the most beautiful country estates with their centuries-old gardens in the Lucca area. Surrounded by lush and extensive gardens, they still bear witness to the wealth and social standing of their builders. Special attention is paid to the so-called “Giardini segreti”, the secret gardens, which, with their water features and grottos, represent the pinnacle of Baroque garden culture.

In Lucca, the filmmakers not only visit the garden of Palazzo Pfanner, which once housed Italy’s first beer garden, but also a modern silk weaving mill. After all, it was silk that once made the merchants and villa owners of Lucca rich. Today, the tradition of silk weaving is being revived in small factories. A visit to the birthplace of the famous Lucchese composer Giaccomo Puccini is also a must. After all, Puccini was also a welcome guest in many a villa in the Lucca area.

The cinematic journey continues to the small town of Pietrasanta, where sculptors from all over the world still create their works from the white marble of Carrara – just as Michelangelo once did. The gigantic Carrara quarries in the Apuan Alps can be seen from the coast. This is where the raw material for the many imposing statues that adorn the gardens of the Lucchese villas comes from.

Production data:

Format

Documentary, 52 min, 2019

Production

GS-Film, ORF/3sat

Written and directed by

Björn Kölz and Gernot Stadler

Camera

Gernot Stadler

Production management

Monika Orsini-Rosenberg

Distribution

ORF Enterprise