The small medieval village of Ghivizzano is part of the municipality of Coreglia Antelminelli, from which is about 10 km. From Lucca are about 30 km, we follow the course of the Serchio river along the road n°12 untill Borgo a Mozzano, after it we turn to the left in direction of Barga and the Garfagnana. Ghivizzano is on the right of the road after about 8 km from the crossroad.

The first historical document that mentions to Ghivizzano go back up to AD 983. The castle, beginning from the end of the 10th century until the second half of 14th century was feud and jurisdiction of the Rolandinghi, then of the Castracani that choose it as familiar residence and center of their military operations. Its importance grew remarkablly under Francesco Antelminelli, formerly vicar then count of Coreglia, that, from 1329 until 1355, lived for a long time in this castle. After his dead, happened violently at the hands of the sons of Castruccio, conserving the jurisdiction on all the territory of the mountain lived in Ghivizzano, Nicolao, son of Francesco, than was expelled in 1369. From then Ghivizzano remained pacific possession of Lucca, excluded the years after the 1438 during which, stormed from Francesco Sforza, allied of Florence, became until 14 May 1441 a small potentate of the famous captain. It then returned to make part of the Lucca State.

The southern entrance to the village is from an ached gate, from which starts the paved street that leads to the center and the evocative via Sossala (sub sala= under the palace), with vaulted roof illuminated only from embrasures. Such via passes for the southern side of the castle. The church of San Pietro and San Paolo, built in AD 994 from the Rolandinghi, was restored and enlarged in full Romanesque period from the Castracani, inside of the church are paintings, a ancient tabernacle and the tombs of Giovanna Castracani (dead in 1336) and of Filippo Castracani (dead in 1347), wife and son of Francesco Castracani. Interesting are also the bell tower, the stairs that leads to the fortress and the tower. In the church of Sant'Antonio are the ambo of a pulpit and the font of the 15th century. The village is much characteristic for its covered alleys and the tabernacles of the Madonna.

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View of the village of Ghivizzano, Coreglia Antelminelli, Lucca
The scenic route Sossala (sub sala = under the palace) with vaulted ceiling illuminated only by embrasures. This route passes through the southern sector of the castle. Ghivizzano, Coreglia Antelminelli, Lucca