Garfagnana | |
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historical and geographical region | |
 Barga in the Serchio valley, with the Apuan Alps in the background | |
  Garfagnana | |
| Coordinates:44°05′N10°26′E / 44.09°N 10.43°E /44.09; 10.43 | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Lucca |
| Comuni | |
| Area | |
| • Area | 620 km2 (240 sq mi) |
TheGarfagnana (Italian:[ɡarfaɲˈɲaːna]) is a historical and geographical region of central Italy, today part of theprovince of Lucca, inTuscany. It is the upper valley or basin of the riverSerchio, and thus lies between the main ridge of the NorthernApennines to the north-east and theAlpi Apuane to the west. The principal towns areCastelnuovo di Garfagnana andBarga.[1]
Garfagnana was historically inhabited by Ligurian (Apuani and Friniati) andEtruscan populations.[2][3] The area was conquered by theRomans in 180 BC. After the fall of theCarolingian empire in 888 it came under the control of variousfeudal lords, and was later caught up in the rivalry between theGuelphs and theGhibellines.[1] In 1248 theHoly Roman EmperorFrederick II ceded it to theRepublic of Lucca. In the fifteenth century much of the territory came under the control of thed'Este family ofFerrara, being absorbed into theDuchy of Modena. With theunification of Italy, the Garfagnana became part of theprovince of Massa e Carrara, and in 1923 passed to that of Lucca.[1]
The Garfagnana is almost entirely mountainous. It has heavy rainfall, and much of it is densely wooded, often withsweet chestnut,Castanea sativa.[1] Chestnuts were until recently an important food source; theFarina di Neccio della Garfagnana, a chestnut flour, hasDOP status.[4] Thefarro of the region, Farro della Garfagnana, hasIndicazione Geografica Protetta status;[5] the area is also known for its lentils and for itsporcini mushrooms. It is the area of origin of theGarfagnina breed of cattle, of theGarfagnina breed of goat, and of theGarfagnina Bianca sheep breed.[6]
The capital of the region isCastelnuovo di Garfagnana.
The Garfagnana andLunigiana were struck by a powerfulearthquake on 7 September 1920. The worst damage and largest number of deaths were atVilla Collemandina;[7] the greatest intensity was recorded there and atFivizzano.[8]
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