Castelnuovo di Garfagnana

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
—  Comune  —
Comune di Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Location of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana in Italy
Coordinates:
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Province Lucca (LU)
Frazioni Antisciana, Cerretoli, Colle, Gragnanella, La Croce, Metello, Monteperpoli, Monterotondo, Palleroso, Rontano, Stazzana
Government
 • Mayor Gaddo Lucio Gaddi
Area
 • Total 28.50 km2 (11 sq mi)
Elevation 270 m (886 ft)
Population (31 December 2010)
 • Total 6,117
 • Density 214.6/km2 (555.9/sq mi)
Demonym Castelnuovesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 55032
Dialing code 0583
Patron saint Sts. Peter and Paul
Saint day June 29
Website Official website

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a town and comune in the province of Lucca, Toscana, central Italy. It is located at rises at the confluence of the Serchio and the Turrite Secca river, close to the intersection among the roads passing through the Apennine Mountains and the Apuane Alps.

The local economy is mainly based on the production of cereals and on the activity of numerous chemical and textile industries.

Contents

History

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).

From the 13th century Castelnuovo di Garfagnana developed as a market town for its close position to rivers along which important trading activities took place. Later, in the 14th century, it developed under the jurisdiction of the city of Lucca.

Since 1316 the control of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana was given to Castruccio Castracani, who made a bridge built in order to join the castle to the village.

At the beginning of the 15th century the inhabitants of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana rebelled to the domination of Lucca, putting themselves in 1430 under the protection of the Estensi family of Ferrara. Under the Este control, the village gaiend in importance by becoming first seat of Vicarship and then by building imposing religious buildings such as the actual Cathedral.

In 1512 the town was occupied by the troops led by Francesco della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, and few years later it was conquered by the Republic of Florence, holding this latter the control of the town just for few years. In the following years the Estensi came again to the power; their domination lasted up to the invasion of the territory by the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte.

During the French domination, Castelnuovo became part of the Cisalpine Republic, including this latter the territories of the Apuane Alps.

After the collapse of the Napoleonic Empire, in 1814 it was given back to the Estensi who ruled it until the Unification of Italy in 1861.

Main sights

See also

Twin towns