Out with the old – in with the new. The statue of Pietro Angelio looks on impassively as technicians from the “Idea Luce” lighting company started work in Barga Vecchia this morning renovating the street lighting system. As one of the technicians pointed out, the old lighting system was great for photographers enabling them to easily make very photogenic images of Barga Vecchia at night-time, with the small pools of light lighting up the various piazzas and narrow streets – perfect for the torch light processions (article here) but it was not very efficient, either in terms of light given out or electricity consumed. The ancient wrought iron lanterns needed constant maintenance and although they looked very pretty their days were numbered.

All 45 lanterns in Barga Vecchia will be replaced by a new, smaller lanterns which give out a warmer light and consume far less energy. Within the next couple of weeks all will be revealed, and the scepticism that some residents have about the changeover will be put to the test for all to see.