Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
| Castelnuovo di Garfagnana | |||
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| — Comune — | |||
| Comune di Castelnuovo di Garfagnana | |||
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 Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
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| Coordinates: 44°07′19″N 10°24′20″E / 44.12194°N 10.40556°E | |||
| 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.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Main sights
- The Rocca Ariostesca (Ariosto's Castle), dating to the 12th century and enlarged by Castruccio Castracani in the following one. It takes its name from the Italian poet, who resided here in 1522-1525 when he was governor of the Garfagnana for the House of Este. It is now home to an archaeological museum.
- the Duomo (Cathedral) of Sts. Peter and Paul, erected in the 16th century. The façade is in Renaissance style, while the interior is Baroque. It includes a terracotta attributed to Andrea del Verrocchio and a canvas by Domenico Ghirlandaio depicting the Madonna with Saints.
- the Capuchins' Convent
- Fortress of Monte Alfonso, built in the late 16th century by the Estensi as their last stronghold before the Republic of Lucca
- Giardino Montano dell'Orecchiella, a nature park and botanical garden
