Literally translated, Pontremoli means "Trembling Bridge" (fromponte "bridge" andtremare "to tremble"), as the commune was named after a prominent bridge across theMagra.[citation needed]
Pontremoli is in the upper valley of the Magra,[3] 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast ofLa Spezia by rail and 90 kilometres (56 mi) south-southwest ofParma.
Pontremoli is believed to have been first settled around 1000 BC.[4] It was known in Roman times asApua.[5] The commune later became an independent municipality in 1226 thanks toFrederick II who chartered the free municipality, partly because of its mountainous terrain. This terrain in the valley of the Magra also made Pontremoli a target for numerous conquests from rival Italian and foreign lords. Pontremoli was controlled by various aristocratic families, including theMalaspina (in 1319) and theAntelminelli (in 1322). The conflict between the rivalGuelfi andGhibellini factions in the early fourteenth century resulted in the construction of the Great Bell Tower (Il Campanone) to separate the rival camps. During these Medieval times Pontremoli was often visited by pilgrims travelling fromCanterbury (England) to Rome.
In 1331 Pontremoli was sold byJohn I of Bohemia toMastino II della Scala (Lord ofVerona). Pontremoli was later taken over by theVisconti of Milan in 1339. In 1404 the ownership of Pontremoli once again changed hands as it was seized by the Fieschi family ofGenoa. However, by 1433 Pontremoli was again under the control of the Milanese. In 1495 Pontremoli was sacked by the troops ofCharles VIII of France.[3] During this time Pontremoli was a territory owned by theHouse of Sforza, who were the newDukes of Milan.
Pontremoli was a French territory from 1508 until 1522 as several northern Italian areas were conquered. In 1526, Pontremoli was captured byCharles V of theHoly Roman Empire. Pontremoli was controlled by Spain until 1647, when it was bought by theRepublic of Genoa. Three years later, Pontremoli was made part of the (Medici)Grand Duchy of Tuscany. With the Leopoldine reforms, Pontremoli became an autonomous community (whilst still part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany) in 1777.[6] In 1778, it officially became a City. It stayed as part of Tuscany (with the exception of a period ofFrench control from 1805 to 1814) until it was transferred to Parma as part of a land exchange in 1847. The area was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1834.[3] In November 1847 Pontremoli was occupied (along withFivizzano) by the Duke ofModena, due to a dispute over trade routes[citation needed]. It joined the wars ofItalian unification and became part of the unified Kingdom of Italy in the middle of the 19th century.
View of the city skyline showingIl Duomo (cathedral) andIl Campanone (bell tower)
There are 30frazioni (English civil parishes: neighborhoods or outlying villages legally part of the commune government) in Pontremoli. They are, ordered alphabetically :
Arzelato, Arzengio, Baselica, Bassone, Braia, Bratto, Careola, Cargalla, Casa Corvi, Casalina, Cavezzana d'Antena, Cavezzana Gordana, Ceretoli, Cervara, Dozzano, Gravagna, Grondola, Groppodalosio, Guinadi, Mignegno, Montelungo, Navola, Oppilo, Pieve di Saliceto, Pracchiola San Cristoforo, Succisa, Teglia, Torrano, Traverde and Vignola.
San Nicolò which houses a wooden cross, dating back several centuries
Chiesa Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta: the Duomo, built in the 17th century and at one time dedicated toSt Geminianus - the cathedral holds many valuable sculptures and paintings. The dome of this cathedral, along withIl Campanone (the bell tower), dominates the city skyline.
SS. Annunziata with its Augustinian monastery and painted mural is another notable feature within the area.[3]
There are also several buildings concerned with the past noble families of Pontremoli. The major site is theCastello del Piagnaro, one of the largest castles ofLunigiana. Several palaces, such as those of the houses of Malaspina and Dosi, are located within the commune.
The "Museo delle Statue Stele" (situated within the castle) contains a number ofBronze Age stone sculptures representing human figures found in Lunigiana.
More modern attractions of Pontremoli include the annualPremio Bancarella book festival,Medievalis (during August) which is a recollection of the arrival of EmperorFrederick II in Pontremoli in 1226.
There are also several mineral springs in the surrounding mountains and a local market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Local foods unique to Pontremoli include "amor" (a type of small cake, consisting of a creamy filling between wafers), "spongata" (a Christmas cake containingchocolate,honey andhazelnuts, among other ingredients), "torta d'erbe" a pie filled with a mixture which may include bietole (Swiss chard), eggs, ricotta cheese, potato, rice and parmigiano cheese wrapped in a very thin pastry; andtestaroli, a flat baked pasta, often served withpesto.[a] Many have suggested that testaroli was actually the first type of pasta. According to an article published byThe Wall Street Journal, testaroli is "the earliest recorded pasta."[8]
To reach Pontremoli by car, one can exit at the toll booth of the same name on theA15 motorway Parma-La Spezia or take the Cisa State Road 62. Public road transport is available via the CAT company, which connects Pontremoli to other cities and towns in theLunigiana area,Massa,Carrara, andLa Spezia.
Pontremoli has a railway station with regular services to Pisa, La Spezia and Parma.Pontremoli railway station is located along the Parma-La Spezia line.
^"Yet in Pontremoli there is not a single restaurant that does not offer testaroli, morning and evening, daily brought fresh from the villages surrounding the town, at midday and the evening as well."[7]
