Doppio tramonto – double sunset hidden by clouds (again)

If the conditions are right and you are in the right place at the right time, it is possible twice a year,  on the 30th -31st January and the 11th -12th November to see the doppio tramonto – the double sunset viewed from outside the Duomo in Barga Vecchia.

This is when the sun drops down behind the mountains in the distance and then shines through the natural arch of the Monte Forato.

This eagerly awaited event generally draws a crowd at the Duomo as they wait for the sun to dip below the horizon, only to re-appear seconds later.

For the last couple of days there have been people waiting to catch a glimpse of the doppio tramonto as the sun edged closer and closer to the hole.

Today was the big day where everything should have lined up perfectly ….. that is, until the weather decided to play a hand in the proceedings and low clouds gathered over Monte Forato and the show was cancelled until later on this year in November where once again it will be possible to to see this rare event.

This evening a sharp wind also kept most casual viewers away from the Duomo but there were some veritable experts on hand including the Astrofilo Fiorentino, Leonardo Malentacchi  (site here) who was in Barga again today to see for himself the phenomenon

He has been a regular visitor to Barga in November and  January as he takes his readings and photographs as part of his ongoing study of this event.

Below you can hear the interview with Leonardo recorded outside the Duomo  last year.