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Barga

Barga
Comune
Comune di Barga
Barga Cathedral.
Coat of arms of Barga
Coat of arms
Barga is located in Italy
Barga
Barga
Location of Barga in Italy
Coordinates: 44°04′30″N 10°28′54″E / 44.07500°N 10.48167°E / 44.07500; 10.48167Coordinates: 44°04′30″N 10°28′54″E / 44.07500°N 10.48167°E / 44.07500; 10.48167
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Province / Metropolitan city Lucca (LU)
Frazioni Sommocolonia, Filecchio, Fornaci di Barga, Mologno, Ponte all'Ania, Tiglio, Renaio
Government
 • Mayor Marco Bonini (Democratic Party)
Area
 • Total 66 km2 (25 sq mi)
Elevation 410 m (1,350 ft)
Population (31 December 2010)
 • Total 10,327
 • Density 160/km2 (410/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Barghigiani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 55051
Dialing code 0583
Patron saint St. Christopher
Saint day July 25
Website Official website

Barga is a medieval town and comune of the province of Lucca in Tuscany, central Italy. It is home to around 10,000 people and is the chief town of the "Media Valle" (mid valley) of the Serchio River.

Barga lies 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of the provincial capital, Lucca. It is overlooked by the village of Albiano, a località of Barga, which in the 10th century was the site of a castle protecting the town.

Pania della Croce, a mountain of the Apuan Alps, dominates the surrounding chestnut trees, grape vines and olive groves.

In the 9th century, Barga is mentioned as a family feud of the Lombard family of Rolandinghi. In the 11th century, Barga obtained from Matilda of Tuscany broad privileges including tax exemptions. However, formally Barga was still subordinate to Lucca. When Matilda died, she left all her properties, including the Serchio Valley, to the Church, which was not really a popular decision, and caused a war. Despite the war, Barga was not looted, apparently, because of the presence of the nuncius, sent to the valley by the Pope Gregory IX. As the result of the war, the diocese of Lucca was abolished and split between several parties, including Pisa. Barga took advantage of it, and in the 13th century helped Pisa against Lucca, but in 1236 was finally subordinated to Lucca. After these events, Barga has developed as an important trade city which had connections with Modena over mountain roads. The city grew as a castle surrounded by a line of walls, of which two gates (Porta Reale and Porta Macchiaia) have survived. The town was well known during the Middle Ages for the manufacture of silk threads which were exported to major centres such as Florence, its mills powered by the hydraulic power of the nearby creeks. In the Middle Ages, Lucca and Pisa battled frequently to conquer the wealthy town and the surrounding territory, and for a time Barga was part of the Florentine dominion, later Duchy and Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Between 1331 and 1859 Albiano owed its allegiance to the Florentine State. It became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Since 1923 Barga is part of the province of Lucca.


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