Castelnuovo di Garfagnana

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a town and comune in the province of Lucca, Toscana, central Italy. It is located 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. 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 position close 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 built a bridge in order to join the castle to the village. At the beginning of the 15th century the inhabitants of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana rebelled against the domination of Lucca, putting themselves under the protection of the Estensi family of Ferrarain 1430. Under the Este control, the village gained in importance by becoming the first seat of Vicarship and then by building imposing religious buildings such as the actual Cathedral. In 1512 the town was occupied by troops led by Francesco della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, and a few years later it was conquered by the Republic of Florence, the latter, holding the town under its control for just few years. In the following years the Estensi returned to power; their domination lasting up to the invasion of the territory by the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte. During French domination, Castelnuovo became part of the Cisalpine Republic, the latter, including 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 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 1522–25 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 See also Garfagnana Twin towns Dronero, Italy Marciana, Italy