Jump to content

Castell'Arquato: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 44°51′N 9°52′E / 44.850°N 9.867°E / 44.850; 9.867
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m replacing {{IPA-it| → {{IPA|it| (deprecated template)
 
(143 intermediate revisions by 90 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{more citations needed|date=November 2013}}
{{translation}}
{{Infobox Italian comune
| name = Castell'Arquato
| official_name = Comune di Castell'Arquato
| native_name =
| image_skyline = Castell'Arquato Building.JPG
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = ''Collegiata'' church.
| image_shield = Castell'Arquato-Stemma.png
| shield_alt =
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|44|51|N|9|52|E|region:IT_type:city(4566)|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| region = [[Emilia-Romagna]]
| province = [[Province of Piacenza|Piacenza]] (PC)
| frazioni = Bacedasco Alto, Doppi, Pallastrelli, Sant'Antonio, San Lorenzo, Vigolo Marchese
| mayor_party =
| mayor = Ivano Rocchetta
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 52
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 4659
| population_as_of = 30 June 2017
| pop_density_footnotes =
| population_demonym = Arquatese
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 224
| twin1 =
| twin1_country =
| saint =
| day =
| postal_code = 29014
| area_code = 0523
| website = {{official website|http://www.comune.castellarquato.pc.it/}}
| footnotes =
}}


'''Castell'Arquato''' ({{IPA|it|kaˌstɛllarˈkwaːto}}; [[Piacentino (dialect)|Piacentino]]: {{lang|egl|Castél Arquä}} or {{lang|egl|Castél Arcuà}}) is an Italian town located on the first hills of Val D’Arda in the [[province of Piacenza]], in [[Emilia-Romagna]], approximately {{convert|30|km|mi}} from [[Piacenza]] and {{convert|35|km|mi}} from [[Parma]]. Places nearby include [[Bacedasco]], [[Vigolo Marchese]], [[Fiorenzuola d'Arda]], [[Lugagnano Val d'Arda]], and [[Vernasca]]. It is one of [[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]] ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/emilia-romagna/|title=Emilia Romagna|access-date=31 July 2023|language=it}}</ref>
{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+ style="font-size: larger;"|'''Castell'Arquato'''
|-
|align="center" colspan=2|
|-
|Region||[[Emilia Romagna]]
|-
|Province||[[Province of Piacenza|Piacenza]] (PC)
|-
|Altitude||254 m
|-
|[[Area]]<br>&nbsp;- City Proper || <br>&nbsp;52 [[km²]]
|-
|[[Population]]<br/>&nbsp;- City ([[2004]]) <br>&nbsp;- [[Density]] ||<br> 4,566 <br> 88/km²
|-
|[[Time zone]]||[[Central European Time|CET]], [[UTC]]+1
|-
|Coordinates||{{coor dm|44|51|N|9|52|E|region:IT_type:city(2546807)}}
|-
|Patron:<br>&nbsp;- Saint<br>&nbsp; -Day||[[San Pietro]]<br>[[7 April]]
|-
|- Nearby Places: [[Bacedasco]], [[Vigolo Marchese]], [[Fiorenzuola d'Arda]], [[Lugagnano Val d'Arda]], [[Vernasca]]
|-
||Site||[http://www.comune.castellarquato.pc.it www.comune.castellarquato.pc.it]
|}
<!-- fine della tabella - per la compilazione vedi -> Aiuto:Comune -->
'''Castell'Arquato''' is an anchient village which has still maintained its apprearance as it was in early X centuaty. It is located in [[Emilia Romagna]] in the province of [[Piacenza]].


A medieval town of traditional structure which has maintained its appearance as it was in the early 10th century, the Old Town of Castell'Arquato is a high rock which in other times was strategically important for dominating the valley, now surrounded by the village. Its picturesque medieval features have led to the burg's appearances in movies such as ''[[Ladyhawke (film)|Ladyhawke]]''.
Castell'Arquato is strategically located on the first hills of Val D’Arda. The Old Town is a high rock controlling and odominating the valley.


Opera librettist [[Luigi Illica]], known for his long collaboration with composer [[Giacomo Puccini]], but also with [[Alfredo Catalani]] and [[Umberto Giordano]] and author of the libretti of such operas as ''[[Tosca]]'', ''[[La bohème]]'', ''[[Madama Butterfly]]'', ''[[La Wally]]'' and ''[[Andrea Chénier]]'', was born in the borough in 1857 and is here buried.
Located on the [[Piacenza]] hills, Castell'Arquato, a very well maintained Medieval town, presents a very spectacular ambientation (Trivia: for this reason it has also been chosen from movie productions like for [[Ladyhawke]] with Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer)


Castell'Arquato is also in the area of the [[Colli Piacentini]] (Piacenza Hills), an important area for wine production. The most important wines produced in the Colli Piacentini are [[Gutturnio]], [[Croatina|Bonarda]], [[Ortrugo]], Malvasia, and Monterosso Val d'Arda.
The urban implant articulates in the village with a beautiful monumental centre situated on the top of the hill around which is the village.


==History==
Castell'Arquato is situated in the province of Piacenza and at approximately 30 Km from Piacenza and 35Km from [[Parma]]
The origins of Castell'Arquato are uncertain. It is believed that it originated as a Roman military settlement (''castrum''). During the Roman Imperial Era it developed into a small rural town, thanks to its position commanding the routes from Piacenza and Parma toward the Ligurian Sea (Liguria is at the end of the Piacenza valley).


The first historical news concerning Castell’Arquato (known as ''la Pieve'') appear in the 8th century. Castell'Arquato seems to have been constructed by a "noble and powerful lord named Magnus". Magnus built the squared based castle and a church "In honor Mater Dei" (756&ndash;758). At that time Castell’Arquato had a military (''Castrum'') and an agricultural organisation (''Curtis''), the Justice Administration (''Curia'') and the Religious Administration (''Pieve'').
The Old Town is constructed according to the traditional strucutre of medioeval town and has not been changed significantly over 10 centuries.


Before dying in 789 Magnus gave the town, the church of Santa Maria and its goods to the [[bishop of Piacenza]], and Castell’Arquato acquired an important freedom as a ''[[Pieve]]'' (pleban church).
Castell'Arquato is also in the area of the [[Colli Piacentini]] (Piacenza Hills) an important area for wine production. The most importa wine produced in the [[Colli Piancentini]] are [[Gutturnio]], [[Bonarda]], [[Ortrugo]] ed il [[Montesissa]]


The Bishop had the right of direct taxation (''fodro'') throughout the territory of Castell'Arquato on all the men, ''nobiles'', ''burgenses'', lords with houses and lands in the area and on the clerics of Santa Maria.
==Brief History==
[[Image:Castell'Arquato7.jpg|left|thumb|220px|The tower of the [[Visconti Rocca (Castell'Arquato)|Visconti Castle]]]]
Catell'Arquato originis are uncertaint. It is believed originally it was a Roman military settlement (castrum). During the Roman Imperial Era it developed into a small rural town, thanks to its favourable dominance of the routes from Piacenza and Parma toward the sea (at the end of the Val D'Arda is Liguria).
From 1204 to 1207 the Bishop of Piacenza Grimerio chose Castell’Arquato as his home. The hamlet became even more independent from Piacenza. The grant of an autonomous government became official in the summer of 1220.
[[File:Palazzo del Podestà (Castell'Arquato).jpg|thumb|Podestà Palace.]]
The first document in the historical archive of Castell'Arquato is from 10 August 1220 when the Bishop Vicedomio gave his land in the burg and the territory in [[Emphyteusis]] (a form of fiefdom) to the "burg and to the homines" of Castell’Arquato for 700 piacentian lire. For 200 lire and a small annual fee he gives also "in perpetual investiture all jurisdictions, honors and tithes" of Castell’Arquato, Lusurasco, San Lorenzo and Vernasca.


Castell’Arquato was at the time ruled by a [[podestà]] chosen by the commune of Piacenza from among the most renowned members of the Piacenza's families, serving for a term of three years. The podestà had civil, political and judicial functions.
The first historical news concernig Castell’Arquato (la Pieve) appear in VIII D.C. Castell'Arquato appeas to havebeen constructued by a "noble and powerful Domini named Magno". Magno built the sqaured based castle and a Church "In honor Mater Dei" ([[756]]-[[758]]).
At that time Castell’Arquato had a military organisation (''Castrum''), an agricultural organisation (''Curtis'') , the Justice Administration (''Curia'') and the Religious Administration (''Pieve'').


The podestà's rule ended in 1290 when [[Alberto Scotti]], backed by the [[Guelphs and Ghibellines|Guelph faction]], the merchant class and the artisanal corporations, became lord of Piacenza. Castell’Arquato also became a seigniory on its own right. Alberto Scotti allied himself to the [[Visconti of Milan|Visconti]] family and extended his dominion to the territory of Piacenza, while entrusting Castell’Arquato to the ''podestà'' Tedesio de' Spectinis. The alliance with the Visconti ended in 1302 when the son of [[Matteo I Visconti|Matteo Visconti]], [[Galeazzo I Visconti]], married [[Beatrice d'Este]] and shifted the weight of the alliances, starting a period of conflict that brought the Scotti to Milan.
Magno dona alla sua morte nel [[789]] al vescovo di Piacenza il paese, la chiesa di S.Maria e i beni annessi e Castell’Arquato assume un importante indipendenza come Pieve. Con la donazione di Magno, Castell’Arquato passa sotto il dominio del Vescovo di Piacenza.


Under the Scotti dominion, Castell’Arquato acquired political prestige and many of the buildings that can be still be seen today, like the ''Palazzo del Podestà'' (Podestà's Palace) and the ''Palazzo di Giustizia'' (Court of Justice), nucleus of what is today the ''Palazzo del Duca'' (Ducal Palace).
Ci sono testimonianze che negli ultimi decenni del primo millennio il borgo arquatese godesse di notevole vitalità. Il Vescovo godeva per il territorio arquatese del fodro (diritto di esazione delle imposte dirette) su tutti gli uomini, ''nobiles'', ''burgenses'' o castellani che posseggono case e terreni e sugli ecclesiastici di Santa Maria.


In 1304 Alberto Scotti was banished from Castell’Arquato by the city of Piacenza, but came back three years later. After the arrival of German emperor [[Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VII]] in 1310, [[Alberto Scotti]] ruled the village until 1316 when [[Galeazzo I Visconti]] besieged Castell’Arquato, which yielded after one year. Galeazzo Visconti allowed the town "special rights": the ability to juridically emancipate itself from [[Piacenza]] and to write laws of its own, the basis of the 15th century statutes.
Dal [[1204]] al [[1207]] il vescovo di Piacenza Grimerio scelse come dimora Castell’Arquato. Il borgo assume una maggiore autonomia rispetto al comune di Piacenza. La concessione del governo autonomo avviene ufficialmente nell’estate del [[1220]].


In 1324 Castell’Arquato was given to the municipality of Piacenza, itself under the dominion of the Church, which governed the burg for twelve years. Piacenza went back to the Visconti in 1336 with [[Azzone Visconti]], who favored the burg's autonomy from Piacenza, appointing a trusted ''podestà'', Galvagno de' Comini, and facilitating the fortification of this strategically and militarily important area. He died at the age of 37 years. His successor, [[Luchino Visconti (died 1349)|Luchino Visconti]] was responsible for the construction of the [[Visconti Rocca (Castell'Arquato)|Rocca]] (starting in 1342), promoted by the municipality of Piacenza.
Il primo documento dell’archivio storico della comunità arquatese è del [[10 agosto]] [[1220]] e certifica che il vescovo Vicedomio cede al comune e agli homines di Castell’Arquato tutti i suoi beni nel borgo e nel territorio, dandoli in enfiteusi per 700 lire piacentine. Per 200 lire e un piccolo canone annuo cede anche “a titolo di investitura in perpetuo tutte le giurisdizioni, onori e ragioni di decimare” di Castell’Arquato, Lusurasco, San Lorenzo e Vernasca.


In 1403 [[Gian Galeazzo Visconti]] gave [[Borromeo de’ Borromei]] and his descendants feudal powers over Castell’Arquato, with the related fiscal revenues. Threatened by the powerful family of the Arcilli from Firenzuola, they gave back their rights to the people of Arquato, who gave them to [[Filippo Maria Visconti]], [[Duke of Milan]]. From 1416 to 1470 the town was called '''Castel Visconti'''.
Castell’Arquato viene retta da un [[Podestà]] nominato dal Comune di Piacenza tra i membri più illustri delle famiglie piacentine e restava in carica tre anni. Il [[Podestà]] aveva funzioni civili e politiche, amministrava la giustizia.


In 1438 Filippo Maria Visconti offered the fief to the [[condottiero]] [[Niccolò Piccinino]], under whose government the Municipal Statutes were promulgated, the ''Statuta et Decreta Terrae Castri Arquati''. After his death the village went to his sons [[Francesco Piccinino|Francesco]] and Jacopo. After Filippo Maria Visconti's death, his son-in-law [[Francesco I Sforza]] was in 1447 also declared lord of [[Piacenza]] and its area.
La fase podestarile termina nel [[1290]] quando [[Alberto Scotti]], sostenuto dal partito guelfo, dal ceto mercantile e dalle corporazioni degli artigiani, diventa signore di Piacenza. Anche Castell’Arquato diventa una signoria vera e propria. [[Alberto Scotti]] si lega alla famiglia [[Visconti]] ed estende il proprio dominio al territorio di [[Piacenza]]. A Castell’Arquato insedia il podestà Tedesio de’ Spectinis. L’alleanza coi [[Visconti]] finisce nel [[1302]], il figlio di [[Matteo Visconti]], [[Galeazzo Visconti]], sposa [[Beatrice d’Este]] e sposta il peso delle alleanze, dando il via ad un periodo di scontri che porteranno gli [[Scotti]] a Milano.


In 1541 [[Pope Paul III]] declared the independence of the village, having already initiated the process in 1538. He also visited the Castell'Arquato in the spring of 1543 when he was acclaimed by the population, grateful for the independence from Piacenza also meant economical relief.
Sotto il dominio degli [[Scotti]] Castell’Arquato acquista prestigio politico e si arricchisce di molte delle costruzioni che si possono ammirare ancora oggi, tra cui il Palazzo di Giustizia, nucleo di quello che oggi è il Palazzo del Duca e il Palazzo del Podestà.


The rule by the [[Sforza]]s went on until 1707, when the territory of Castell'Arquato became part of the [[Duchy of Parma and Piacenza]] under the [[House of Farnese|Farnese]] and later the [[House of Bourbon]], until its [[Risorgimento|annexation to Italy]] in 1860.
Nel 1304 [[Alberto Scotti]] viene cacciato da Castell’Arquato dal comune di Piacenza, ma vi tornò tre anni dopo nel 1307. Dopo la discesa di [[Arrigo VII]] del [[1310]] [[Alberto Scotti]] governerà il borgo, a fasi alterne, fino al [[1316]] quando [[Galeazzo Visconti]] assediò Castell’Arquato che capitolò l’anno seguente.


The current coat of arms reflects these changes, featuring the castle alongside the symbols of Piacenza (red [[castra]] of Sant'Antonino), the Farnese (golden fleur de lis); the Scotti (6-pointed gold stars) and the Sforza (golden lions).
[[Galeazzo Visconti]] concede al borgo “grazie speciali”: facoltà di emanciparsi giuridicamente da [[Piacenza]], privilegio di dotarsi di un autonomo corpus di norme legislative, sarà il fondamento degli statuti quattrocenteschi. Inizia il dominio visconteo che durerà fino al [[1450]].


==Main sights==
Nel [[1324]] Castell’Arquato viene ceduta al comune di [[Piacenza]], soggetta anch’essa al dominio della Chiesa, che governa sul borgo per dodici anni. [[Piacenza]] torna ai [[Visconti]] nel [[1336]] con [[Azzone Visconti]], che favorisce l’autonomia degli arquatesi da Piacenza, insediando un podestà di sua fiducia, Galvagno de’ Comini e facilitando la fortificazione di una zona così importante dal punto di vista strategico e militare. Muore a trentasette anni. A [[Luchino Visconti]], suo successore, si deve la costruzione della Rocca (dal [[1342]]), promossa dal Comune di Piacenza.
*[[Visconti Rocca (Castell'Arquato)|''Rocca Viscontea'' (Visconti castle)]]. Founded over pre-existing edifice, it was the seat of the Visconti garrison and has a quadrangular plan with four square towers at the vertexes, a ''mastio'' ([[keep]]) and a ditch with two entrances. The ''Rocca'' is today home to the Medieval Museum
*[[Collegiata of Castell'Arquata|''Collegiata '' church of St Mary]], dating to the late 8th century, when it was a baptismal ''pieve''. It was however, completely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1117. Notable is the Romanesque "Paradise Portico" on the left side, dating to the late 14th century, the four apses and the late 13th century cloister. The interior has sculpted capitals and sculptures from the 12th century, and frescoes.
*''Palazzo del Podestà''
*''Torrione Farnese'' (Farnese Tower)
*''Porta di Sasso'' (Sasso Gate)
*Baptistery of ''San Giovanni'', at Vigolo Marchese
*S. Spirito Hospital (now housing a museum)
*''Palazzo del Duca'' (Ducal Palace), built in 1292 by Alberto Scoto. It is connected to the Torrione by a tunnel.
*Church of ''San Giacomo''
*''Vernasca Silver Flag'' (Annual vintage motorsport event). Scheduled for 16–18 June 2017 and organized by Club Piacentino Automotoveicoli d'Epoca.


==Culture==
Nel [[1403]] [[Gian Galeazzo Visconti]] investe [[Borromeo de’ Borromei]] e la sua discendenza dei poteri feudali su Castell’Arquato, con annesse rendite fiscali. Minacciati dalla potente famiglia fiorenzuolana degli Arcelli, cedono i loro diritti agli arquatesi, che li rimettono a [[Filippo Maria Visconti]], duca di [[Milano]]. Dal [[1416]] al [[1470]] il borgo si chiamerà [[Castel Visconti]].


The castle's archive houses a collection of ancient music (from c. 16th century). It was partly published by the [[American Institute of Musicology]]. In those time it means for harpsichord or organ. The edition is called CEKM (Corpus of Early Keyboard music).
Nel [[1438]] [[Filippo Maria Visconti]] offre il feudo al condottiero Niccolò Piccinino, sotto il suo governo vengono promulgati gli Statuti Comunali, gli Statuta et Decreta Terrae Castri Arquati. Da Niccolò il borgo passa ai figli Francesco e Jacopo. Il cupo periodo del dominio visconteo si chiude con la morte di [[Filippo Maria Visconti]] senza eredi. Su [[Milano]] si allunga la mano di suo genero [[Francesco I Sforza]], che viene proclamato dopo il [[1447]] anche signore di [[Piacenza]] e del contado. Il Dominio delgi [[Sforza]] dura fino al 1707


From this collection a keyboard dance of the renaissance called "Al Milanese" with regal sound:
Nel [[1541]] [[Papa Paolo III]] [[Farnese]] concede l’indipendenza al borgo, avendone già gettato le premesse nel [[1538]]. Rende anche visita al Borgo nella primavera del [[1543]] in cui è acclamato dalla popolazione, riconoscente poiché l’indipendenza da [[Piacenza]] comportava anche alleggerimenti economici.


{{Audio|40Al Milanese Castell'Arquato.ogg|"Al Milanese" 781 Kb}}
Il governo della dinastia [[Sforza]] continua fino al [[1707]], quando il territorio arquatese entra a far parte del [[Ducato di Parma e Piacenza]], è il momento dei [[Farnese]] e dei [[Borboni]]. Fino al [[1860]] il [[Ducato di Parma e Piacenza]] diventa parte dei domini di [[Maria Luisa d’Austria]], a questa data risale l’entrata nello stato unitario dei [[Savoia]].


==Monumenti==
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Immagine:Castell'Arquato.jpg|thumb|250 px|Il Palazzo del Podestà]]


==External links==
Maria Rivela is an Argentinian realtor with a fantastic caboose. She is married to Roberto Rivela and has raised three children, john, tom, and federico. Federico is poopoocaca, accodring to recent sources.
{{commons}}
* [http://www.castellarquato.com www.castellarquato.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080611180456/http://www.comune.castellarquato.pc.it/ www.comune.castellarquato.pc.it]


{{Province of Piacenza}}
==Stemma==
{{Authority control}}
Lo stemma attuale del comune presenta una complessa figurazione, nella quale si possono riconoscere diversi simboli legati al passato del Borgo.
“Di rosso, al castello torricellato di un pezzo, merlato alla ghibellina, aperto, finestrato e murato di nero, accostato da due stelle di sei raggi d’oro ed accompagnato in punta da un giglio dello stesso; a due leoni controrampanti al castello ed affrontati, pure d’oro”. Decreto del Capo del Governo 15 agosto 1929.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Castell'arquato}}
Il castello allude alle fortificazioni che ancor oggi contraddistinguono il centro storico.
[[Category:Hilltowns in Emilia-Romagna]]

[[Category:Cities and towns in Emilia-Romagna]]
Bianco (argento) e rosso sono i colori delle armi di Piacenza che, oltre alla lupa di Roma, mostra un quadrato d’argento (alludente al “castrum” quadrato romano) in campo rosso (emblema collegato a Sant’Antonino, patrono di Piacenza).
[[Category:Borghi più belli d'Italia]]

Il leone d’oro è l’emblema originario degli Sforza (vedi Cotignola), in particolare del ramo di Santa Fiora, feudatari del luogo dopo i Visconti e rappresentati come “protettori” della Rocca arquatese.

Le due stelle d’oro a sei punte sono presenti anche nelle armi della famiglia dei conti Scotti.

Il Giglio d’oro è riferito alla casa Farnese, famiglia ducale di Parma..

{{Provincia di Piacenza}}

[[Categoria:Comuni della provincia di Piacenza]]
[[Categoria:Comuni dell'Emilia-Romagna]]
[[Categoria:Comuni italiani]]

[[pt:Castell'Arquato]]

Latest revision as of 22:24, 15 August 2024

Castell'Arquato
Comune
Comune di Castell'Arquato
Collegiata church.
Collegiata church.
Coat of arms of Castell'Arquato
Coat of arms
Location of Castell'Arquato
Map
Castell'Arquato is located in Italy
Castell'Arquato
Castell'Arquato
Location of Castell'Arquato in Italy
Castell'Arquato is located in Emilia-Romagna
Castell'Arquato
Castell'Arquato
Castell'Arquato (Emilia-Romagna)
Coordinates: 44°51′N 9°52′E / 44.850°N 9.867°E / 44.850; 9.867
CountryItaly
RegionEmilia-Romagna
ProvincePiacenza (PC)
FrazioniBacedasco Alto, Doppi, Pallastrelli, Sant'Antonio, San Lorenzo, Vigolo Marchese
Government
 • MayorIvano Rocchetta
Area
[1]
 • Total
52 km2 (20 sq mi)
Elevation
224 m (735 ft)
Population
 (30 June 2017)[2]
 • Total
4,659
 • Density90/km2 (230/sq mi)
DemonymArquatese
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
29014
Dialing code0523
WebsiteOfficial website

Castell'Arquato (Italian pronunciation: [kaˌstɛllarˈkwaːto]; Piacentino: Castél Arquä or Castél Arcuà) is an Italian town located on the first hills of Val D’Arda in the province of Piacenza, in Emilia-Romagna, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Piacenza and 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Parma. Places nearby include Bacedasco, Vigolo Marchese, Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Lugagnano Val d'Arda, and Vernasca. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[3]

A medieval town of traditional structure which has maintained its appearance as it was in the early 10th century, the Old Town of Castell'Arquato is a high rock which in other times was strategically important for dominating the valley, now surrounded by the village. Its picturesque medieval features have led to the burg's appearances in movies such as Ladyhawke.

Opera librettist Luigi Illica, known for his long collaboration with composer Giacomo Puccini, but also with Alfredo Catalani and Umberto Giordano and author of the libretti of such operas as Tosca, La bohème, Madama Butterfly, La Wally and Andrea Chénier, was born in the borough in 1857 and is here buried.

Castell'Arquato is also in the area of the Colli Piacentini (Piacenza Hills), an important area for wine production. The most important wines produced in the Colli Piacentini are Gutturnio, Bonarda, Ortrugo, Malvasia, and Monterosso Val d'Arda.

History

[edit]

The origins of Castell'Arquato are uncertain. It is believed that it originated as a Roman military settlement (castrum). During the Roman Imperial Era it developed into a small rural town, thanks to its position commanding the routes from Piacenza and Parma toward the Ligurian Sea (Liguria is at the end of the Piacenza valley).

The first historical news concerning Castell’Arquato (known as la Pieve) appear in the 8th century. Castell'Arquato seems to have been constructed by a "noble and powerful lord named Magnus". Magnus built the squared based castle and a church "In honor Mater Dei" (756–758). At that time Castell’Arquato had a military (Castrum) and an agricultural organisation (Curtis), the Justice Administration (Curia) and the Religious Administration (Pieve).

Before dying in 789 Magnus gave the town, the church of Santa Maria and its goods to the bishop of Piacenza, and Castell’Arquato acquired an important freedom as a Pieve (pleban church).

The Bishop had the right of direct taxation (fodro) throughout the territory of Castell'Arquato on all the men, nobiles, burgenses, lords with houses and lands in the area and on the clerics of Santa Maria.

The tower of the Visconti Castle

From 1204 to 1207 the Bishop of Piacenza Grimerio chose Castell’Arquato as his home. The hamlet became even more independent from Piacenza. The grant of an autonomous government became official in the summer of 1220.

Podestà Palace.

The first document in the historical archive of Castell'Arquato is from 10 August 1220 when the Bishop Vicedomio gave his land in the burg and the territory in Emphyteusis (a form of fiefdom) to the "burg and to the homines" of Castell’Arquato for 700 piacentian lire. For 200 lire and a small annual fee he gives also "in perpetual investiture all jurisdictions, honors and tithes" of Castell’Arquato, Lusurasco, San Lorenzo and Vernasca.

Castell’Arquato was at the time ruled by a podestà chosen by the commune of Piacenza from among the most renowned members of the Piacenza's families, serving for a term of three years. The podestà had civil, political and judicial functions.

The podestà's rule ended in 1290 when Alberto Scotti, backed by the Guelph faction, the merchant class and the artisanal corporations, became lord of Piacenza. Castell’Arquato also became a seigniory on its own right. Alberto Scotti allied himself to the Visconti family and extended his dominion to the territory of Piacenza, while entrusting Castell’Arquato to the podestà Tedesio de' Spectinis. The alliance with the Visconti ended in 1302 when the son of Matteo Visconti, Galeazzo I Visconti, married Beatrice d'Este and shifted the weight of the alliances, starting a period of conflict that brought the Scotti to Milan.

Under the Scotti dominion, Castell’Arquato acquired political prestige and many of the buildings that can be still be seen today, like the Palazzo del Podestà (Podestà's Palace) and the Palazzo di Giustizia (Court of Justice), nucleus of what is today the Palazzo del Duca (Ducal Palace).

In 1304 Alberto Scotti was banished from Castell’Arquato by the city of Piacenza, but came back three years later. After the arrival of German emperor Henry VII in 1310, Alberto Scotti ruled the village until 1316 when Galeazzo I Visconti besieged Castell’Arquato, which yielded after one year. Galeazzo Visconti allowed the town "special rights": the ability to juridically emancipate itself from Piacenza and to write laws of its own, the basis of the 15th century statutes.

In 1324 Castell’Arquato was given to the municipality of Piacenza, itself under the dominion of the Church, which governed the burg for twelve years. Piacenza went back to the Visconti in 1336 with Azzone Visconti, who favored the burg's autonomy from Piacenza, appointing a trusted podestà, Galvagno de' Comini, and facilitating the fortification of this strategically and militarily important area. He died at the age of 37 years. His successor, Luchino Visconti was responsible for the construction of the Rocca (starting in 1342), promoted by the municipality of Piacenza.

In 1403 Gian Galeazzo Visconti gave Borromeo de’ Borromei and his descendants feudal powers over Castell’Arquato, with the related fiscal revenues. Threatened by the powerful family of the Arcilli from Firenzuola, they gave back their rights to the people of Arquato, who gave them to Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan. From 1416 to 1470 the town was called Castel Visconti.

In 1438 Filippo Maria Visconti offered the fief to the condottiero Niccolò Piccinino, under whose government the Municipal Statutes were promulgated, the Statuta et Decreta Terrae Castri Arquati. After his death the village went to his sons Francesco and Jacopo. After Filippo Maria Visconti's death, his son-in-law Francesco I Sforza was in 1447 also declared lord of Piacenza and its area.

In 1541 Pope Paul III declared the independence of the village, having already initiated the process in 1538. He also visited the Castell'Arquato in the spring of 1543 when he was acclaimed by the population, grateful for the independence from Piacenza also meant economical relief.

The rule by the Sforzas went on until 1707, when the territory of Castell'Arquato became part of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza under the Farnese and later the House of Bourbon, until its annexation to Italy in 1860.

The current coat of arms reflects these changes, featuring the castle alongside the symbols of Piacenza (red castra of Sant'Antonino), the Farnese (golden fleur de lis); the Scotti (6-pointed gold stars) and the Sforza (golden lions).

Main sights

[edit]
  • Rocca Viscontea (Visconti castle). Founded over pre-existing edifice, it was the seat of the Visconti garrison and has a quadrangular plan with four square towers at the vertexes, a mastio (keep) and a ditch with two entrances. The Rocca is today home to the Medieval Museum
  • Collegiata church of St Mary, dating to the late 8th century, when it was a baptismal pieve. It was however, completely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1117. Notable is the Romanesque "Paradise Portico" on the left side, dating to the late 14th century, the four apses and the late 13th century cloister. The interior has sculpted capitals and sculptures from the 12th century, and frescoes.
  • Palazzo del Podestà
  • Torrione Farnese (Farnese Tower)
  • Porta di Sasso (Sasso Gate)
  • Baptistery of San Giovanni, at Vigolo Marchese
  • S. Spirito Hospital (now housing a museum)
  • Palazzo del Duca (Ducal Palace), built in 1292 by Alberto Scoto. It is connected to the Torrione by a tunnel.
  • Church of San Giacomo
  • Vernasca Silver Flag (Annual vintage motorsport event). Scheduled for 16–18 June 2017 and organized by Club Piacentino Automotoveicoli d'Epoca.

Culture

[edit]

The castle's archive houses a collection of ancient music (from c. 16th century). It was partly published by the American Institute of Musicology. In those time it means for harpsichord or organ. The edition is called CEKM (Corpus of Early Keyboard music).

From this collection a keyboard dance of the renaissance called "Al Milanese" with regal sound:

"Al Milanese" 781 Kbⓘ

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Emilia Romagna" (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castell'Arquato.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Castell%27Arquato&oldid=1240536964"