Pontremoli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pontremoli
Pontrémal (Emilian)
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| Comune di Pontremoli | ||
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| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Tuscany | |
| Province | Massa and Carrara (MS) | |
| Frazioni | See list | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 182 km2 (70 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 236 m (774 ft) | |
| Population
(31 December 2015)
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| • Total | 7,357 | |
| • Density | 40.42/km2 (104.70/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Pontremolesi | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
54027
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| Dialing code | 0187 | |
| Patron saint | Saint Geminianus | |
| Saint day | January 31 | |
Pontremoli is a charming small city in central Italy. It's located in the Tuscany region, within the province of Massa and Carrara.
The name Pontremoli literally means "Trembling Bridge." This name comes from an important bridge that crosses the Magra River in the area.
Pontremoli is found in the upper valley of the Magra River. It's about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of La Spezia and 90 kilometers (56 miles) south-southwest of Parma.
Contents
Discovering Pontremoli's Past
Pontremoli is a very old city. People believe it was first settled around 1000 BC. In Roman times, it was known as Apua.
Becoming an Independent City
In 1226, Pontremoli became an independent town. This happened thanks to Frederick II. He allowed the town to govern itself. Its location in the mountains made it a target for different rulers. Many groups wanted to control Pontremoli over the centuries.
Conflicts and Changes in Control
Various powerful families took control of Pontremoli. These included the Malaspina family in 1319 and the Antelminelli family in 1322. In the early 1300s, two rival groups, the Guelfi and Ghibellini, fought here. To keep them apart, the Great Bell Tower (Il Campanone) was built. During these medieval times, many pilgrims traveled through Pontremoli. They were on their way from England to Rome.
In 1331, Pontremoli was sold to Mastino II della Scala, who was the Lord of Verona. Later, in 1339, the Visconti of Milan took over. The city changed hands many times. In 1404, the Fieschi family from Genoa seized it. But by 1433, Milanese rulers were back in charge. In 1495, French troops led by Charles VIII of France attacked Pontremoli. At this time, the House of Sforza, the new Dukes of Milan, owned the territory.
Pontremoli was a French territory from 1508 to 1522. Then, in 1526, Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire captured it. Spain controlled Pontremoli until 1647. After that, the Republic of Genoa bought it. Just three years later, Pontremoli became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It remained part of Tuscany until Italy became a unified country in the 1800s. Pontremoli officially became a city in 1778.
Important Events in the 1800s
In 1834, a strong earthquake caused a lot of damage in the area. In 1847, the Duke of Modena occupied Pontremoli. This happened because of a disagreement over trade routes.
Neighborhoods and Villages
Pontremoli has many smaller areas called frazioni. These are like neighborhoods or small villages that are part of the main city government. There are 30 of these frazioni around Pontremoli.
Culture and Fun Activities
Pontremoli offers many interesting things to see and do today.
Festivals and Events
- The annual Premio Bancarella is a famous book festival.
- Medievalis is a festival held in August. It celebrates the arrival of Emperor Frederick II in Pontremoli in 1226.
- Il Bar Moderno is a local café that won a "gold medal" for its ice cream and coffee in 1970.
You can also find several natural mineral springs in the nearby mountains. A local market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday.
Delicious Local Foods
Pontremoli is known for its unique local foods:
- Amor: A small cake with a creamy filling between wafers.
- Spongata: A Christmas cake with ingredients like chocolate, honey, and hazelnuts.
- Torta d'erbe: A savory pie filled with a mix of greens (like Swiss chard), eggs, ricotta cheese, potato, and other ingredients. It's wrapped in a very thin pastry.
- Testaroli: A flat, baked pasta often served with pesto. Many believe testaroli was the very first type of pasta ever made!
Main Sights to Explore
Pontremoli has several historic churches and buildings.
Churches of Pontremoli
- San Nicolò: This church holds a wooden cross that is many centuries old.
- Chiesa Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta: This is the main cathedral, also called the Duomo. It was built in the 1600s. The cathedral has many beautiful sculptures and paintings. Its dome, along with Il Campanone (the bell tower), stands out in the city's skyline.
- SS. Annunziata: This church has an Augustinian monastery and a painted mural.
Historic Buildings and Castles
You can also see several buildings connected to the noble families of Pontremoli.
- Castello del Piagnaro: This is one of the largest castles in the Lunigiana area.
- Palaces: Many palaces, like those of the Malaspina and Dosi families, are found in the city.
Inside the Castello del Piagnaro, you'll find the "Museo delle Statue Stele." This museum displays ancient stone sculptures from the Bronze Age. These sculptures look like human figures and were found in the Lunigiana region.
Famous People from Pontremoli
Several notable people have connections to Pontremoli:
- In 1802, explorer Alessandro Malaspina lived here.
- Luigi Poletti, a mathematician and poet, was born in Pontremoli. There's now a road named after him.
- Enrico Albertosi, the goalkeeper for the Italian national football team in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, is from this area.
- Italian singer Zucchero owns a house in Pontremoli.
- Former professional football player Mario Lusardi has family roots in Bratto, a small village near Pontremoli.
- American actress Meryl Streep visited the Castello del Piagnaro for her son's wedding in 2019.
Getting Around Pontremoli
Pontremoli is easy to reach by car. You can take the A15 motorway (Parma-La Spezia) and exit at Pontremoli. You can also use the Cisa State Road 62.
Public buses are available through the CAT company. These buses connect Pontremoli to other towns in the Lunigiana area, Massa, Carrara, and La Spezia.
Pontremoli also has a train station. Regular train services run to Pisa, La Spezia, and Parma.
Sister Cities
Pontremoli has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities":
Trenčianske Teplice, Slovakia
Morières-lès-Avignon, France
Noto, Italy
See also
In Spanish: Pontremoli para niños
