In the heart of Pienza lies Piazza Pio. The piazza is dominated by the Duomo (cathedral) and is flanked by two palaces: Palazzo Pio and Palazzo Borgia.
Across from the Duomo, in what is probably the least conspicuous building on the piazza, sits a bar named La Posta.
The bar is old-school.
No huge TV screen blaring music videos…as in so many Italian bars these days.
Just an espresso machine, a display case for pastries, and a dizzying assortment of Italian digestivi and imported liquors.
It’s the place where the town priest, before he retired, came for his daily beer.
Like the TV show “Cheers,” it’s a place where, “Everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.”
The bar is owned, as it has been for the past 30 years, by Fabio Martini.
Fabio told Carol, his grandfather owned the bar way-back-when, and it’s been in the family ever since.
Fabio said he first learned to make coffee in his father’s restaurant (around the corner). He had to stop when the Carbinieri came to the restaurant and told his father Fabio was two years below the minimum legal working age.
This morning, Carol and Roger did some on-the-napkin calculations and estimated over the years they’ve had a thousand cups of coffee here….as well as a few beers, glasses of wine, and Campari & sodas.
The bar is staffed by Fabio’s brother Michele, who began at La Posta even before Fabio. With him behind the bar, there is no need for a local newspaper.
And Chiara, the bar maid, has a smile for every tourist she serves…even those who’ve been coming daily for the past decade.
But all good things must end. With today’s cups of coffee, Roger paid Fabio for the last time. Fabio has sold the bar and is headed into retirement. When we return at the end of the Summer, La Posta will have a new owner.
Fortunately, Michele and Chiara will still be there. Hopefully, La Posta’s unique ambiance will be as well.
The local historian Fabio Pelligrini has decided to write a book about the history of La Posta. As he told the other Fabio, “the history of La Posta is the history of Pienza.”
Fabio doesn’t have to worry about keeping busy during retirement. He’s an avid photographer, a fisherman and mushroom hunter.
As much as he looks forward to not having to come into work each day, we…and dozens of other Pientini…will miss his being there.
Adieu, Fabio! Che tu possa avere molti anni di gioia e buona caccia ai funghi!