Careggine

SKIING IN GARFAGNANA

The territory of this village extends on the slopes of Monte Sumbra, on the eastern side of the Alps. For winter sports enthusiasts, only 5 km from this village in the locality of Vianova, three ski areas are equipped with lifts and a system of artificial snow for skiing even in the event of a little snow.

The first records of the village date back to the 8th century when St Peter's Chapel was built in the 12th century became parish church, one of the oldest Roman churches of Garfagnana. When Lucca began to expand his territory around 1200, the nobles of Careggine sided openly with the papacy and Pisa, his ally. The Alliance is not served, however, to stop the people of Lucca who managed to conquer the whole Garfagnana. In the country there were then various domains until, in the 15th century, this village was under the rule of the Este family. In the old town you can see the remains of the Castle, a fortress surrounded by a boundary wall, now disappeared, with two gates, one still clearly visible with its sandstone arch.

 

Traditions and Typical products

The territory of this village as well as a bit of the entire territory of Garfagnana, is one of the areas where the DOP Grafagnana "neccio" flour and IGP Garfagnana spelled.

The cheese in the municipality is not just a product but also a "sport", the launch of the cheese wheel is a sport recognized by the FIGeST (Italian Federation of sports & games Tadizionali). Every August in Careggine hosts the "Palio del tiro della forma", in which the 4 teams are committed to throw the cheese for the main street with the goal to get to before the finish.

 

 

Photo Credits [verdeazzurronotizie.it]