HISTORY AND PROJECT
The property at 23 Via Piagnaro caught the interest of Marco and Andrea, the owners, from their very first visit, thanks to a series of unique and fascinating features. Firstly, the internal mediaeval street captured their attention. Originally a public road, over the centuries it was incorporated into the property, becoming the only connection between two of the four floors of the house. Today, after careful restoration and appropriate enhancement, this street retains all its historical charm.
The presence of the "living rock," boldly creeping into a room of the house directly from the Piagnaro hill, has added further charm and character to the property. Equally significant are the vaulted ceilings in all rooms, the panoramic view of the river, and the particular four-level floor plan.
Finally, the charred walls have a story to tell: they bear witness to the tragic event of 28th June 1495, when the troops of Charles VIII invaded Pontremoli, causing devastation and destruction. This dark episode, which saw the mediaeval city engulfed in flames for five days, left an indelible mark in the history of Pontremoli, and the charred walls, some of which are still visible after restoration, stand as a silent memorial to those turbulent times.
The fire caused the almost total destruction of the public archives and precious documentation of the most important families in Pontremoli. This event led to the loss of a large part of the documents that shed light on the times preceding that tragic era. However, some documents have been preserved in private notarial archives and in other Italian cities.
Despite the devastation, the history of Pontremoli is ancient and rich in charm. The oldest document mentioning Pontremoli dates back to around the year 990 and is attributed to Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, during his journey along the Via Francigena. In this document, Sigeric describes his itinerary and mentions Pontremoli as one of the stops: "Adventus Archiesuscopi nostri Sigerici ad Romam.... Luca (Lucca), Campmajor, (Camaiore), Luna (Luni), Sce Stephane (Santo Stefano) Aguilla (Aulla) Ponttremell (Pontremoli), Sce Benedicte (Montelungo), Sce Moderanne (Berceto)" and so on.
This ancient document testifies to the importance and presence of Pontremoli since ancient times, contributing to the transmission of its millenary history along the Via Francigena and beyond.
BOOK THE WHOLE HOUSE
La Casa Medievale can accommodate from 8 to 13 people and is also ideal for a stay for a couple of families or a group of friends who wish to share an environment rich in history and heritage.
The property features a splendid SPA, unique in its kind, with a large whirlpool tub, 2 apartments, and 2 rooms, one of which also has an exclusive terrace of about 25 square meters from which you can enjoy a splendid view.
Furthermore, the property also has common areas where various ancient and modern books are available, but it is also possible to share pleasant moments of relaxation while sipping a delicious herbal tea.
A PLACE RICH IN HISTORY FROM 1100 AD
Integral part of the first settlement nucleus of Pontremoli, it is plausible to date its construction around the year 1100 AD. In over 1000 years of history, this dwelling has witnessed multiple events over the centuries.
We had the opportunity to reconstruct part of its history thanks to the direct accounts of those who, in their apartment on the upper floor, were born and lived from 1941 until the 1960s. Mr. Mauro provided valuable information regarding his childhood and daily life in the house. He remembers clearly that he and his parents lived in the rented apartment on the upper floor, at street level. Their kitchen had a wood-burning stove, and there was no running water in the house. Wood was split on the kitchen floor with an axe, causing the terracotta tiles to break, which we can still observe today after the conservative restoration.
Their toilet was a small shared latrine at the entrance, the drainage of which ended directly in the cellar below.
On the remaining floors of the house, there were various activities, contributing to create a lively and dynamic picture of daily life that unfolded within its walls in centuries past.
EVERY ROOM TELLS OF A UNIQUE PAST
Each room of la Casa Medievale had a different owner and a unique past. On the -1 floor, one room housed the workshop of a versatile artisan who was dedicated to carpentry, the repair of tools, and the preparation of firewood. In the adjacent room, there was a food storage area and a space dedicated to raising animals, including rabbits and chickens. Oral traditions tell that during wartime, this room also served as a refuge for a displaced family.
A small room housed the young Mauro's toy workshop, powered by electricity from the upper floor through an external cable running along the facade facing the river.
Here, Mauro began to bring his first creations in clay to life, becoming famous in later years for his collection of toy soldiers and characters. Some of these objects were found decades later, thrilling Mauro as he saw his creations abandoned years before, when the Piagnaro district of Pontremoli began to empty due to the modern development of housing across the Verde river.
HISTORICAL FINDINGS
La Casa Medievale has yielded a wide variety of historical artefacts, many of which remained preserved or even buried within it. Among these are military artefacts dating back to the Great War, such as gas masks, military bags, and backpacks. There are also coins from various eras and nations, as well as numerous pages from historical newspapers, including those related to the moon landing of 1969.
During excavations beneath the floors, carved stones, capitals, and steps have been found, used as filling material. Fragments of ceramics from past centuries have also been recovered. Many of these discoveries are now displayed in the various rooms of the house, tangible evidence of a rich and fascinating history.
BOOK YOUR STAY IN PONTREMOLI
Contact us to book your stay in Pontremoli in a unique and history-rich environment.
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