Molazzana
Molazzana: a gem in Tuscany
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about a town in Tuscany that I recently visited and was amazed by its beauty: Molazzana. Located in the province of Lucca, this small town has only 997 inhabitants, but offers many tourist attractions and an authentic and relaxing atmosphere. In this summary, I will try to share with you the most important information about Molazzana, telling you about its geography, history, monuments, and fractions. I hope this article will be useful for you to discover a lesser-known part of Tuscany and help you plan a future visit to this enchanting area.
Physical geography
Let's start with geography. Molazzana is located at an altitude of 570 meters above sea level, in a hilly area that offers a fabulous view of the Apennine Mountains. The climate is cool and windy, with a low atmospheric diffusivity that favors the quality of the air and the well-being of the people who live there. The nearest town is Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, about 10 kilometers away.
History
Let's move on to history. Molazzana has ancient origins dating back to the Roman era, when the territory was crossed by a military road that connected the Adriatic coast with France. In the Middle Ages, Molazzana was dominated by various local lords, including the counts of Modena and the marquises of Ferrara. In the seventeenth century, the town passed under the control of the Republic of Lucca, which governed it for almost two hundred years until the arrival of the Napoleonic troops in 1799. After the unification of Italy in 1861, Molazzana became an autonomous municipality of the province of Lucca, maintaining its historical and cultural identity.
Monuments and places of interest
Now let's move on to monuments and places of interest. If you love art and architecture, Molazzana will not disappoint you. Among the most important religious architectures are the Church of Santi Lorenzo and Stefano, the Church of San Bartolomeo, and the Church of San Frediano. The first is a Romanesque building dating back to the twelfth century and preserves inside some valuable frescoes and works of art. The second is dedicated to the patron saint of the town and dates back to the fourteenth century, with a Tuscan Gothic-style façade and a bell tower in the shape of a sail. The third is located in the fraction of Brucciano and is a small country church surrounded by a beautiful natural setting.
Society
But how has Molazzana's society changed over the years? Thanks to my research, I discovered that the town has undergone a sharp decrease in population since the 1950s, due to emigration to cities and abroad. However, in recent years there has been a slight increase in population, thanks to the arrival of people looking for peace and tranquility. The municipality also organizes various cultural and sports activities for residents and tourists, such as music festivals, food and wine fairs, and nature walks.
Anthropical geography
But what is in Molazzana's fractions? There are six in total, in addition to the town of Molazzana: Alpe Sant'Antonio, Brucciano, Cascio (Molazzana), Eglio, Montaltissimo, and Sassi (Molazzana). Each of them offers unique landscapes, local traditions, and a particular history. For example, Eglio is a fraction that is located 3 kilometers from the town center, characterized by narrow streets and a church dedicated to the Madonna della Tosse, which houses a work by the famous painter Bartolomeo di Stefano. Eglio is also famous for hosting the "Gastone Venturelli Collection for the history of popular culture in Tuscany", a museum that tells the daily life of the inhabitants of the area in the past.
Administration
Finally, here is some information about the administration of Molazzana. Like many other municipalities in Italy, Molazzana has had several administrations that have succeeded over the years, each with its own election program and proposals for the future of the town. Here you can browse a table with the details of each mayor from 1985 to today.
I hope this article has been useful and interesting for you to get to know Molazzana and its territory better. If you have any questions or curiosities, leave a comment below and I will be happy to answer you. See you on the next adventure in Tuscany!
