Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Welcome to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana!
Hello everyone! Today I will take you on a journey to discover Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, an Italian municipality of 5593 inhabitants, located in the province of Lucca, in Tuscany.
Physical Geography
Territory
The municipality is situated at the confluence of the Serchio river with the Tùrrite Secca stream. A fun fact: a particular mineral named dinite was discovered in Castelnuovo, which was named after physics professor Olinto Dini who discovered it in 1852.
Climate
As for the climate, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is classified as zone E and has a low atmospheric diffusivity. Additionally, the municipality is classified as zone 2 for medium-high seismicity.
History
The history of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana dates back to ancient times, when the area was inhabited by the Etruscans and the Romans. However, the first historically documented news of the settlement dates back to 740 AD, during the Lombard period.
In the 14th century, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana became an important transit center, being the main southern gateway to the Garfagnana valley. During this period, Castruccio Castracani, a politician and military commander from Lucca, ordered the construction of the bridge to connect the existing castle to the ancient village of Cellabarotti, now the district of Santa Lucia.
In 1429, the municipality voluntarily submitted to Niccolò d'Este of Ferrara to escape from the rule of Lucca and avoid Florentine conquest. The Estensi made Castelnuovo the capital of the newly established province of Garfagnana and rewarded its inhabitants with several privileges.
During the war of the League of Cambrai, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana was invaded by the troops of Pope Julius II and his allies in war with the Estensi. In 1512, Francesco della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, tried to seize the city but was immediately driven away by the return of the people of Lucca. In 1521, it was the Florentines who took over the city, supported by Pope Leo X.
Curiosities
One of the curiosities of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is the presence of the Enoteca Vanni, where you can taste the best wines of the area. Additionally, every year in Castelnuovo, the Fiera di San Francesco, a traditional festival dedicated to the patron saint of the city, is held which includes markets, shows, and processions.
Conclusions
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a small city with a millenary history, surrounded by enchanting landscapes and full of curiosities and traditions. I hope this short journey has intrigued you and made you want to visit this splendid location. See you in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana!
