Fortresses and Forts
Sentinels of Time
Fortresses and Forts
Sentinels of Time
The ancient fortifications that dominate the landscape
he ancient and grandiose fortresses of Garfagnana bear witness to the strategic position in the history of these mountains and internal valleys, as impervious as they are lush. In Castelnuovo di Garfagnana there is the Fortezza di Mont’ Alfonso, one of the most imposing Este defensive structures in the area. In addition to the fortress there is also the Rocca Ariostesca, so called because between 1522 and 1525 it hosted the poet Ludovico Ariosto when he held the role of governor; today it is home to the Palazzo di Atlante dedicated to Ariosto, Orlando Furioso and Garfagnana of the 16th century.
Another fortification is the Rocca degli Estensi in Camporgiano, built around the 15th century by the Ferrarese family, from which it was possible to control one of the most important junctions of the road network in the Alta Valle del Serchio. Also in San Romano in Garfagnana there is a majestic construction, the Fortezza delle Verrucole, located in a strategic place to dominate the entire Garfagnana valley floor: today it offers unique atmospheres and one of the most exciting 360° panoramas in the world.
he ancient and grandiose fortresses of Garfagnana bear witness to the strategic position in the history of these mountains and internal valleys, as impervious as they are lush. In Castelnuovo di Garfagnana there is the Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso, one of the most imposing Este defensive structures in the area. In addition to the fortress there is also the Rocca Ariostesca, so called because between 1522 and 1525 it hosted the poet Ludovico Ariosto when he held the role of governor; today it is home to the Palazzo di Atlante dedicated to Ariosto, Orlando Furioso and Garfagnana of the 16th century.
Another fortification is the Rocca degli Estensi in Camporgiano, built around the 15th century by the Ferrarese family, from which it was possible to control one of the most important junctions of the road network in the Alta Valle del Serchio. Also in San Romano in Garfagnana there is a majestic construction, the Fortezza delle Verrucole, located in a strategic place to dominate the entire Garfagnana valley floor: today it offers unique atmospheres and one of the most exciting 360° panoramas in the world.
Fortezza delle Verrucole
600m above the valley
1 Founded by the Gherardinghi Counts, it was a garrison of the Dukes of Este.
2 Of medieval origin, rebuilt in the Renaissance.
3 Two fortresses, the Tonda and the Quadra, located at the two ends of the hill.
Fortezza delle Verrucole
600m above the valley
1 Founded by the Gherardinghi Counts, it was a garrison of the Dukes of Este.
2 Of medieval origin, rebuilt in the Renaissance.
3 Two fortresses, the Tonda and the Quadra, located at the two ends of the hill.
Fortezza di Mont'Alfonso
1150 m of city walls
1 Built by order of Duke Alfonso II d’Este between 1579 and 1586
2 7 bastions, 2 gates, an extension of 60,000 square meters
3 360° view that ranges from the Apuan Alps to the Apennines
Fortezza di Mont'Alfonso
1150 m of city walls
1 Built by order of Duke Alfonso II d’Este between 1579 and 1586
2 7 bastions, 2 gates, an extension of 60,000 square meters
3 360° view that ranges from the Apuan Alps to the Apennines
Rocca Estense
Two mighty towers to defend the upper valley
1 It was built around the 15th century by the powerful Ferrara family
2 Two large towers that constitute the most significant part of the fortification
3 It houses the Civic Collection of Renaissance Ceramics
Rocca Estense
Two mighty towers to defend the upper valley
1 It was built around the 15th century by the powerful Ferrara family
2 Two large towers that constitute the most significant part of the fortification
3 It houses the Civic Collection of Renaissance Ceramics
Rocca Ariostesca
Seat of the Este Government in Garfagnana
1 It dominates the central Piazza Umberto I
2 Ludovico Ariosto, Este governor, stayed there from 1522 to 1525
3 Today it houses the Palazzo di Atlante museum dedicated to the poet Ludovico Ariosto and his work Orlando Furioso
Rocca Ariostesca
Seat of the Este Government in Garfagnana
1 It dominates the central Piazza Umberto I
2 Ludovico Ariosto, Este governor, stayed there from 1522 to 1525
3 Today it houses the Palazzo di Atlante museum dedicated to the poet Ludovico Ariosto and his work Orlando Furioso
Ghivizzano Castle
A walled village to defend the ancient medieval keep
1 In 1272 Ghivizzano became part of the Vicariate of Coreglia which included 36 villages
2 In the 14th century Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli renovated the fortress by building a 25-meter-high tower and a barracks for the garrison
3 The walls of the palace hosted important historical figures such as Paolo Guinigi and Francesco Sforza for centuries
Ghivizzano Castle
A walled village to defend the ancient medieval keep
1 In 1272 Ghivizzano became part of the Vicariate of Coreglia which included 36 villages
2 In the 14th century Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli renovated the fortress by building a 25-meter-high tower and a barracks for the garrison
3 The walls of the palace hosted important historical figures such as Paolo Guinigi and Francesco Sforza for centuries
Torre del Bargiglio
The Eye of Lucca
1 The tower on Mount Bargiglio, dating back to the 14th century, allowed to control a vast territory from Castiglione di Garfagnana to Lucca
2 In Lucca, the tower of the public building served as the hub of the sighting system
3 The easiest way to reach the Tower is by car to the small village Cune and then on foot with a nice walk
Torre del Bargiglio
The Eye of Lucca
1 The tower on Mount Bargiglio, dating back to the 14th century, allowed to control a vast territory from Castiglione di Garfagnana to Lucca
2 In Lucca, the tower of the public building served as the hub of the sighting system
3 The easiest way to reach the Tower is by car to the small village Cune and then on foot with a nice walk
