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CASTELNUOVO DI GARFAGNANA is situated at an
altitude of 277 metres above sea level, and is
the principal town of the Garfagnana area, a
territory that is made up of the northern part of
the valley of the Serchio River which runs
between the the Apuan Alps and the Appenines. The
town lies forty kilometres from both Lucca and
the Versilia coast.
The ancient and attractive outlying villages of
Palleroso, Monterotondo, Antisciana, Perpoli,
Gragnanella, Cerretoli, Colle and Rontano are
readily accessible for walkers by means of
designated woodland paths.
Construction of the Rocca (left and
below) started in the 9th century - probably
as a single tower house - and later (in the 12th
century) with significant additions, incorporated
into the walls of the town. It was the governor's
palace until the 16th century when it became the
home of Ludivico Ariosto. ...
The Rocca later became the headquarters of the
local government and commissioners and was
extensively modified to suit its new function.
The building, like of the rest of city, suffered
serious damage during WW 2 but has since been
restored with some modifications to the original
structure.
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The place name derives from "Castelnuovo",
referring to a new castle built after a previous
one had been destroyed, and "Garfagnana", the
Latin name of a local identity, "Carfanius", to
which the suffix "-ana" was added to indicate
that he had possession of the district.
The locality is quoted for the first time in an
official document dating back to the 8th century
with the name of "Castro Novo" (new fortified
settlement).
Dating from the 13th century Castelnuovo di
Garfagnana developed as a market town, thanks to
its close position to rivers along which
important trading activities took place. The town
originally formed part of the 'Lordly Dominion of
the Counts della Verrucola Gherardenga'. Included
in the Lucca Vicariate of Castiglione di
Garfagnana – as stated in a Lucca statute
of 1308 – Castelnuovo developed under the
Estensi, who affirmed their power over it in 1429
and later re-established it after the brief
Lordships of Francesco della Rovere (1512) and
the Medici (1521).
The village of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana became
increasingly important as the first local
bishop's seat and which led to the building of
imposing religious buildings including the Duomo
(Cathedral). As the seat of the Commissariat and
Ducal Governors, the most celebrated being
Ludovico Ariosoto (a statesman, soldier and poet,
who described the local district as a “land
of wolves and thieves”!), Caselnuovo became
the most important political and administrative
centre in the Garfagnana. In 1579 its defenses
were strengthened by the construction of the
Monte Alfonso fortress built by the Estensi Duke,
Alfonso II.
Apart from the Napoleonic period (which saw the
creation of the department of the Alpi Apuane and
transfer of power to the Duchy of Lucca until
1814) the administation of the towns of the
Garfagnana, including Castelnuovo, remained
separate from the rest of Tuscany until the
unification of Italy, when they were incorporated
into the province of Massa which continued until
1923.
In the winter of 1944-45 in WWII Castelnuovo lay
just behind the “Gothic Line” and
during the bombardment from the opposing allied
forces lost several important and historical
buildings.
The local economy is mainly based on the
production of cereals and on various chemical and
textile industries.
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We take a stroll through the streets of
Castelnuovo........ (left and
below)
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A local bar and 'bistro'
(left)
The cathedral dates from the Renaissance and is
dedicated to St Peter (below and left
below)
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The church of San Micele contains a 14th century
Madonna by Giuliano di Simone da Lucca
(left and below)
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A hungry group of tourists awaits at the Rocca
for
directions to the lunch venue !......
(below)
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The visit to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana continues
on the next page.
Please click on the 'Next' button (lower
right)
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