Castiglione di Garfagnana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Castiglione di Garfagnana is a city of 1,878 inhabitants in the province of Lucca. The city is rinomate for the band Filarmonica Alpina, founded in 1858 with the name of Fanfara popolare.
| Comune di Castiglione di Garfagnana | |
|---|---|
 Municipal coat of arms |
|
| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Toscana |
| Province | Lucca (LU) |
| Mayor | Francesco Giuntini (since June 2004) |
| Elevation | 545 m (1,788 ft) |
| Area | 48 km² (19 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| - Total | 1,877 |
| - Density | 39/km² (101/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Castiglionesi |
| Dialing code | 0583 |
| Postal code | 55033 |
| Frazioni | Boccaia, Campori, Casone di Profecchia, Cerageto, Chiazza, Col d'Arciana, Filippe, Isola, Massasassorosso, Pagaia, Passo Radici, Pian di Cerreto, Mozzanella, Pozzatelle, Prunaccio, San Pellegrino in Alpe, Valbona |
| Patron | Madonna del Carmine |
| - Day | July 16 |
| Website: www.valledelserchio.net | |
Contents |
[edit] History
The origin of the city dates back to a Roman castra, called Castrum Leonis, ("Lion's Castle"), built to command the valley leading to the San Pellegrino Pass, the easiest transit for armies of Apennines. The fortress later developed under the Lombard and Frank dominations.
In 1170 it was besieged by the Republic of Lucca. Castiglione surrendered, but the high taxes led the city to form a league with others communes of Garfagnana against Lucca.
In 1227 Castiglione was again besieged and suffered further destruction by the Lucca's soldiers. Political contrasts continued in the following years, until a peace was stipulated in 1371: Lucca gained definitive control of Castiglione, and established a permanent administrator. The defensive structure was upgraded building with the widening of the town-walls.
During the 15th century Castiglione was one of the few communities in Garfagnana that did not submit to the Este family, remaining loyal to the Republic of Lucca. Throughout the wars against Estensi, the fortress was again besieged, in particular in 1603 and 1613. It followed a long period of peace, marred only by controversies for boundary questions with the neighbouring communes.
The Congress of Vienna (1815) assigned Castiglione to Marie Louise of Bourbon, Grand Duchess of Lucca, who in 1819 gave it to Francis IV of Modena.
[edit] Main sights
Castiglione's most striking attraction is the Medieval bridge, built by Spinetta Malaspina in the 13th century. The city is also famous for its well-preserved 13th-century medieval walls with large towers (the Torrioni) and the Rocca ("Castle").
The church of San Pietro was erected in 723 by two Lombard brothers, Aurinand and Gudifrid, but was largely rebuilt in the 12th century by Bishop Guido III of Lucca. San Michele (14th century) is the other main holy edifice of the town. Both churches use wall towers as their belfries.
The Church of San Pellegrino (in the omonymous fraction), site at 1,400 m and commanding the valley of the Serchio river, houses the mortal remains of St. Pellegrino and St. Bianco.
[edit] Transportation
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