Barga
A journey to discover Barga
Hello friends, today I want to talk to you about Barga, a beautiful city in Tuscany. Barga is located in the province of Lucca and is the most populous center of the Media valle del Serchio. It was proclaimed a city of Italy in 1933 due to its historical, artistic, civic, and demographic significance. Moreover, it has been recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy by the Italian Touring Club and has received the Cittaslow tourist quality mark.
Physical geography
Barga is located 410 meters above sea level, on Colle Remeggio, in the heart of the Media Valle del Serchio. The area is hilly and lies between the Piana di Lucca and the mountains of the Garfagnana valley. The seismic zone is medium-high, and the climatic classification of Italian municipalities places it in zone E.
History
The territory of Barga has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by archaeological remains. In prehistoric times, there was a small settlement of the Liguri, who were later subjugated by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. In the 10th century, the territory was a feudal lordship of the Lombards, and then subject to the Holy Roman Empire while maintaining significant independence.
During the communal period, the territory suffered continuous sieges by the Republic of Lucca and the Republic of Pisa. In 1341, Barga chose to submit to communal Florence, representing the city's period of greatest splendor. The Medici family had great interest in the area, granting privileges and tax exemptions that allowed for the development of business and trade. The wealth achieved led to the construction of Renaissance-style palaces such as Pancrazi Palace, Balduini Palace, and Bertacchi Palace.
In the administrative organization of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Barga was part of the Florentine District, then passed to the province of Pisa. In 1849, following the annexation of the Duchy of Lucca to Tuscany, the Compartment of Lucca was created. Barga was part of that compartment and, with the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy, became the northernmost municipality bordering the province of Massa and Carrara.
What to see in Barga
Barga is a city full of places to visit. Among these are the three palaces built in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, mentioned above. Additionally, there are many churches to see, including the Church of San Francesco, the Church of Sant'Agostino, and the Church of San Giovanni Battista. The latter is a Romanesque church dating back to the 11th century and features a two-light bell tower.
Finally, Barga boasts a spectacular view of the Garfagnana mountains, which can be admired from the panoramic point located in Garibaldi Square.
Local cuisine
The local cuisine of Barga offers many tasty dishes, including the famous farro soup, rice cake, and Livornese-style cacciucco. Moreover, there are many festivals throughout the year where you can taste all the typical dishes of Barga.
Conclusions
Barga is a city that has a lot to offer, from its vast history to its natural and architectural beauties. If you have the opportunity to visit Tuscany, do not miss the chance to discover this wonderful city.
