Top 6 Castles around Coreglia Antelminelli

The Rocca Ariostesca is a medieval fortified military structure located in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The rocca is the symbol of the city and overlooks the central Piazza Umberto I. It owes its name to having been the seat of the Este government and to having hosted, from 1522 to 1525, as governor of the Garfagnana of the Este, the poet Ludovico Ariosto, who was succeeded in the following century by Fulvio Testi. A small outpost already existed on the site in the 10th century, but it can be said that the original structure of the Rocca as we know it today dates back to the 12th century; modified throughout the 13th century, it was significantly enlarged in the early 14th century by Castruccio Castracani, who determined an enlargement of the entire village walls. It was then Paolo Guinigi who ordered the construction of the imposing tower located in the center of the Rocca, adorned with the civic clock, which over time was also used as a prison. The terrace overlooking the square was erected in 1675, coinciding with the opening of the monumental arch of access to the city center. The internal furnishings have been lost, among which the tapestries that adorned the "Sala dei Principi" (Hall of the Princes) are known. The Rocca was damaged during the Second World War and subsequently restored. As a venue for exhibitions and cultural events, it houses the Archaeological Museum in its halls, which preserves numerous artifacts and testimonies from the prehistoric, Ligurian-Apuan, and Etruscan periods in Garfagnana.

A beautiful hike. Some trails are a bit abandoned and lack signage, but following the trail is fine. From the top of the tower, there would be a beautiful view, but we missed it due to fog and a myriad of flying ants.

The ruins of the Tower, or Rocca, of Bargiglio stand on the top of the mountain of the same name at 866 meters above sea level at the gates of Garfagnana and the Media Valle del Serchio. Once you arrive at the Tower, it is clear why it has always been called the "Eye of Lucca": the view is panoramic at 360 degrees and offers a perfect view from the peaks of the Apuan Alps, with the Pania di Corfino clearly visible, to the numerous castles and fortresses of Garfagnana, such as the Castiglione Castle and the Mont'Alfonso Fortress. From here you can also dominate the entire Serchio Valley below, from the walls of Barga and Coreglia Antelminelli to Bagni di Lucca, up to the many towns in the Municipality of Pescaglia. And finally, in the distance to the south, the Lucca plain and then the Tyrrhenian coast. The origin of the fortification dates back to an unknown era, probably built by the Suffredinghi, one of the three potentates of Lombard origin who controlled the Serchio Valley who distinguished themselves for their tenacious resistance to the expansionism of the Municipality of Lucca, being bordered by the Este dominions of Garfagnana. It consisted of only one tower, used as an observation and control point of the vast territory, of the road that passed a little further down and of the small community that lived in the farmhouses surrounding the fortification and the ancient Hermitage of S. Bartolomeo.

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana - Tea Time Sunday, the locals in the new castle are also enjoying the peace. The apostles Peter and Paul invite us into the shade of their modest prayer house (Parrocchia Abbaziale dei SS. Apostoli Pietro e Paolo). The holy water is bubbling… The tea ceremony is a feast for the eyes when the tea bag changes the water in color and scent. After a short toast we bring comfort to Don Quixote. Seated on his horse Rocinate at Rocca Ariostesca, (old city gate) he continues his battle alone… Wandering further through the empty alleys and streets, students in Teatro Alfieri manage to entertain us with a matinée. Students put their best foot forward while fellow students, with crossed fingers, encourage the main character. Exam passed It was nice to be in the new castle during our tea time. Read more experiences? Click through to https://www.komoot.com/en-gb/collection/2195535/-visit-italy-2023-regio-massa-carrara-lucca

It is believed that the rocky block on which Roccapelago stands was an ancient prehistoric castle. The first mention of a "Castrum Pelago" is found in a document dated 753. Roccapelago probably belonged to the Gualandelli family since the 12th century, and was subsequently a fiefdom of the Montegarullo family from 1240, whose warlike politics it suffered, especially under Obizzo da Montegarullo. In 1393, Obizzo having rebelled against the Este family, Roccapelago was besieged by the Lucchese allies of the house of Este, who took possession of the castle. In 1396 Obizzo managed to regain possession of it and Roccapelago remained with the Montegarullo family until 1408 when a powerful military contingent, under the command of Uguccione dei Contrari, managed to capture it and take it prisoner to Ferrara. In 1586, the new church of Roccapelago was built on the perimeter of the now abandoned castle. The square, massive shape, without arches, without columns and without vaults suggests that its room had been the hall of the Obizzo manor. The bell tower was built at the expense of the population in 1765, using a tower from the old castle. Other restoration works were carried out in 1925 due to damage from an earthquake. Four ancient rooms have recently been recovered which currently house the "In the footsteps of Obizzo da Montegarullo" and "The Mummies of Roccapelago" museums. From the site: http://www.roccapelago.it/

The Rocca di Gallicano still appears as it appeared in 1488. At that time it was part of the defensive fortification system of the Republic of Lucca.

Contains a small museum in which works by contemporary painters and photographers are displayed in temporary exhibitions. Entry is free.

The Rocca Ariostesca is the symbolic monument of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Dominating the central Piazza Umberto, it takes its name from the poet Ludovico Ariosto who was replaced as governor of the province of Garfagnana in Este from 1522 to 1525. There was already a small garrison on the site in the 10th century, but the structure of the fortress can be said to date back to the 12th century; modified during the thirteenth century, it was familiarly enlarged at the beginning of the fourteenth century by Castruccio Castracani, who extended an extension of the entire walls of the village; it was Paolo Guinigi who commissioned the construction of the imposing tower in the center of the Rocca, decorated with the civic clock, the terrace overlooking the square was built in 1675, the same with the opening of the monumental entrance arch to the city center.