Bellagio

Luigi Tacchi and the wood shop

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One of the most fascinating aspects of Bellagio is that the past is revealed not only in works of art, architecture, but small fragments of history are hidden behind each window of the center, antique shops carried out by the passion of craftsmen who keep alive ancient traditions.

And is this passion that makes those who enter into these shops immediately plagued by intense atmosphere, where it seems almost possible to "touch" the history and tradition.

To find out more about this aspect of Bellagio we met Mr. Luigi Tacchi and her son in their shop in the center of the village. Mr. Luigi Tacchi is the owner of "La Bottega del Legno", one of the oldest shops in the country, born in 1855 and still run by the same family that keeps alive the tradition of the lathe from generation to generation
The building housing the store was the old tower of the drawbridge to enter the south entrance of the village.

Mr. Tacchi tells us about his job, or rather art, through many curiosities and anecdotes. It tells us that the tradition of woodworking in Bellagio, evolved as a little 'requirement', farmers and fishermen worked olive wood to get the household utensils. Then the passion for wood has meant that the lathe turner and engraver become increasingly popular in Bellagio.
Today, there are very few lathe turner and Mr. Tacchi carries on this tradition almost "endangered", always teaching with a lot of patience  to those who want learn the art of the lathe.

To understand how this business has changed, he tells an amusing anecdote: a buyer of a famous Italian department store was interested in eggcups, the perfect gift idea for Easter. Tacchi in the first instance was pleased to bring his craft and his signature on the shelves next to international brands, but then came the order. "I want 10,000 pieces." Well, 10,000 pieces - says Mr. Tacchi, with a hint of irony -  I can produce 50 pieces a day ... about 200 days .. and he realized that he could not deliver the egg for Easter!

And that's why every item in his shopis so special, because encloses dexterity, wisdom, time, but especially the exclusivity of the "unique"item, which do not meet the needs of large numbers.
In the store there are many items, bowls, cutlery, pots, platters and many other gift ideas from olive wood for the house. Grinders for pepper, salt or coffee for all tastes, all made from wood and quality craftsmanship of the fruit.
Inside the store you can peek in his laboratory that looks almost like a museum, pervaded by an intense aroma of the wood where there are  often groups of onlookers and tourists enjoing the show of Mr. Tacchi at the
lathe.