|  Informations
Region: TOSCANA
Province code: LU
Zip code: 55033
Phone area code: 0583
Distance from LUCCA 52 Km / 32 Miles
Elevation: 545 mt / 1793 feet
populations n° 1.967 (1998)
Tourist office: 55033 - Castiglione Garf.na - P.zza V. Emanuele,
1 Phone +39 058368029/278 - Telefax +39 058368029
"Castrum Leonis" "The Lion Fortress"
The town lies on a hill, from which
it dominates all the valley set between the soft Appennines
and the more imposing Alpi
Apuane. (Apuans Alps)
In the high part of the village, the imposing fortress rises
on a rocky spur. It is a defensive structure with an irregular
perimeter and three towers with a semicircular plan.
In correspondance of the entrance
we find the remains of a quadrangular tower that constituted
the defensive structure of the access way. The height of
the walls varied between 11 and 17 meters according to the
natural gradient of the ground. On the fortress we can admire
a wonderful panorama of the surrounding valley. Inside the
fortress has suffered modifications because of the change
from fortified place to residential place. Today the fortress
is private property, the proprietor permits the visits only
if guided.
The story
Its story begins as an ancient “castrum” built
by the Romans.
Castiglione is located in a strategic position
in the valley that, in this period, was crossed by an important
road of forced passage between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.
For its strategic position it had a stormy past and it suffered
many sieges. The first one, by Lucca, in 1170 provoked a
lot of damage. The surrender commited Lucca to the recostruction
and the elevation to center of Vicaria. But the insolences
and onerous taxes caused new wars. In 1227 it was besieged
and suffered more destruction by Lucca’s soldiers.
The peace stipulated in 1371 delivered the fortress definitively
to Lucca which installed a permanent commissioner. The town
walls strengthened (walls that we can still be seen today!)
This village, which is now an important summer resort, is
in a splendid position and has a particular and charming
atmosphere.
In fact the centre of the little town lies inside a fortified
ring of walls with a fortress built by the Lucchesi in 1371.
The most important monument is the church of St. Michael,
dating back to the XV century.
Its façade, unfinished, is decorated with little arches
and columns and a "Protiro" of the XVIII century.
The village of Castiglione
developped around the fortress and for reason of protection
it was surrounded by walls and towers. The walls extend
for 750 metres, they were equipped with loop holes and a
watch walk. On two of the towers we find the bell towers
of the principal churches. (St. Michele and St. Pietro).
The most important monument of Castiglione is the church
of St. Michael, dating back to the XV century.
Its façade, unfinished, is decorated with little arches
and columnes and a Protiro of the XVIII century.
Inside there are remarkable works of art: a canvas representing
the Virgin with Baby made by Giuliano di Simone in 1389,
a black wooden Crucifix dating back to the XV century, a
fine marble tabernacle for the Holy Oils of the XVI century
and in a vestry a beautiful silver thurible, made in the
XV century representing a little medieval castle.
Today we can enter in the suburg through
three doors, but in the past there was an only access door
with drawbridge because around the walls there was a deep
ditch. The other two doors had opened in the XVIII century
to make the entry in the village more easy.The strengthened
complex of Castiglione could be considered
one of most important and suggestive examples of a “living
Castle”.
Visit the museum:
ROCCA DI CASTIGLIONE
Location: CASTIGLIONE DI GARFAGNANA
phone: (+39) 0583/68029-68543
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