"My exploration in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana"

Hello dear friends,

I want to share with you some photos I took yesterday evening as I was returning home from work. I made a detour from the main road because I had noticed something interesting and intriguing about this town. So, fueled by a bit of inspiration and my usual curiosity, I decided to explore this place and share it with you here.

This is Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, a municipality in the province of Lucca in Tuscany, located at the confluence of the Serchio and Turrite Secca rivers. We are right near the famous Apuan Alps, known for the extraction of the renowned marble that the great Michelangelo once skillfully worked.

This town has a very ancient origin, dating back to the eighth century. It was probably a Roman Castrum because it is located in a strategically important area from a commercial standpoint, being close to these rivers and a valley that was once frequented by many merchants due to its proximity to the Apuan Alps. The first thing that struck me when I arrived in this place is the fact that it is still surrounded by these ancient walls and its castle, which has been expanded and improved over the years.

As soon as you enter the town, the first thing that immediately catches your eye is the Ariostesca Fortress. This enormous fortress has been modified over the years, with the last significant modification made in the 1500s. It is definitely a must-see for art and culture enthusiasts like me. I also noticed that Christmas lights have been set up to make the town even more beautiful. I walked around, and what struck me is that there was practically no one around, and it wasn't late. Nevertheless, the town is well-maintained and very clean. I entered the church of San Pietro e Paolo, located right in the heart of the town, and I really liked its simple interior. Fortunately, unlike some other churches I had seen in other places, it was open this time.

The interior was very simple, with the classic large Giotto-style crucifix in the middle. I enjoyed it a lot, and I must say that Tuscany indeed has some beautiful churches. I continued my walk, noticing many shops in this town, which is a positive thing. Finally, I returned to the car to head home, as it was getting quite late.

I hope the photos I took have virtually taken you along with me and added a positive touch to my story. See you in my next post, but in the meantime, I wish you all a good day and thank you for the comments you leave!