
View of Caprilgiola
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Caprigliola is a small and peaceful medieval village
perched in the Lunigiana hills. It offers splendid views over
the valley and it is surrounded by picturesque olive
trees.
The original plan of the village can be dated back to the 10th century,… to the
era during which the Obertenga family fortified all the strategic positions in the area.
The village, which dominates the Via Francigena, as well as the ford across the river, represented
the entrance way to the high valley of the Magra river. The Pelavicino Manuscript contains records
of the toll rates of all goods which transited through the township down below, called Bettola.
In all probability, it was here that the famous connection with the roads towards Spain and Santiago de
Compostela was found, and which Nikulas di Munkathvera, an Irish abbot, wrote about in 1154, on his journey
towards Rome, confirming Caprigliola´s role as a wayfaring junctions. In 1185 Federico Barbarossa recorded
the village as being part of the possessions of the bishops of Luni. Of the original village, the round tower
from the 12th century is still visible today amongst the remains of the caisson, and which was subsequently
transformed into a bell tower.
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Caprigliola Village - View of Local Landscapes |