Ghivizzano Castle
Ghivizzano is about 30 km far from Lucca, in the municipality of Coreglia Antelminelli, and it's easily reachable following the road S445 toward 'Abetone'.EVENTS 2006: 17 SEPTEMBER. NORCINI A CASTELLO - GAMES AND LEGENDS IN THE CASTLE - In the suggestive scenography of the medieval village of Ghivizzano Castello the ancient art of the " norcino " (pork butcher) will be exposed, and various areas destined to the tasting of different foods along the characteristical streets of the village, that emphasive the charm and the perfumes of this ancient job. Together with this extraordinary event, among flavous, history and tradition during the afternoon the historical group will organize medieval games for youngsters and the historical groups will perform various shows. 24 SEPTEMBER. NATIONAL DAY OF THE CASTLES - Historical Group dressed in historical costumes will organize free guided tours of the castle. 16 DECEMBER. REAL LIFE MANGER - From 7.30 pm onwards the village animates itself with many different workshops dating back to the early 10th century, with more that 150 participants, later in the evening you will see the arrival of the Sacred Family that will pass through the ancient village and the birth of Jesus in the manger under the Castruccio tower, followed by the arrival of the Angel from the tower ... » Ghivizzano Location Map
We don't have very precise news about the origin of the town, the only information comes from sales - rent contracts done by the Bishop of Lucca TEUDOGRIMO to the family ROLANDINGHI in the year 983 D.C. with which he gave in fief the parish court of the 'Loppia' and 28 'ville' (towns) among which there was Ghivizzano. Later the Rolandinghi family, through inheritance, was replaced in the Ghivizzano-Coreglia area by the Bizzarri family and later by the Antelminelli's, who for many years maintained their dominion, not always peacefully. In 1272 Ghivizzano passed under the jurisdiction of Lucca, hence Coreglia became the 'Vicaria (Vicarage) of Garfagnana' made up of 36 towns of which the communes of Borgo a Mozzano, Pescaglia, Fornoli, Monti di Villa and some towns that today are under the commune of Bagni di Lucca.
It is said that the building of the tower was work of Castruccio, but he only restored it, because in 1171 it can be found already mentioned in some manuscripts, where it is written that between 1281 and 1328 '...he built a wall and a palace...' so he built the castle with surrounding walls on every side of which today remains only the western part.
In the meantime the population had increased hence the little San Antonio church was not enough anymore, a request was made to allow use of the church at the castle, built in 1308 and called San Martino, which was first extended in 1777 with a change of name to San Pietro and Paolo, the Romanic imprint was irreversibly lost, signs are visible only along the side of the church starting from the bell tower, and from decorations found in other churches around Lucca. The further extension was done in 1885 as written on the floor where the church was heightened changing the truss roof to a barrel cross vault, where as the bell tower, initially built by Paolo Guinigi in 1400 with only 2 bells, was rebuilt in 1857 at the top, and a 3'd bell was added in 1895.
Coming out of the open gallery we must be said that until 1868, under the floor was the town cemetery, which was moved in to 'Pianezzori', along Gretaglia Road up until 1887, after which it was finally built where it is still in use today, at Camparlese. Coming down the great staircase, built in 1857 we reach the square, where once could be found the water well; here all the villagers came to get water, then we reach the church of San Antonio, firstly named San Matteo, where the octagonal baptismal fountain dated 1400 can be seen, ail around it there are Coats of Arm of the Nuti family, which originated the noble Ghivizzani, this fountain was very important because not ail churches were allowed to baptize. The other 'wall' baptismal fountain is dated 1790. The palace, adjacent to the church of San Antonio, belonging to Paolo Guinigi, Lord of Lucca from 1400 to 1430, was bought by Monsignor Camilli, Bishop of Fiesole, who was born here and later donated it to the town for civil and religious educational purposes. We then walk into the most characteristic road: 'Via Sossala' meaning Sub-Sala, as per 'under the room', used to walk underground from the castle, along which there are many loopholes used by the crossbow archers during the 'fortress days' of the castle. Whilst the gate was the first entrance to the town, the 'Portello' was opened when in 1810-14 the carriage road from Fomoli to Castelnuovo was built, and Elisa Baiocchi, sister of Napoleon, was in reign. With the growth of the town towards the lower grounds or 'Osteria', called like this because of buildings built for guests passing by, many other constructions were built, among which the 'Sacred Heart' church in 1930.
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