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Minucciano
a territory bordering Gorfigliano and Lunigiana
The capital of the Municipality stands perched around a rocky outcrop on the top of which stands a characteristic circular bell tower. The historic center retains a tight medieval plan in which the layout of the buildings is organized in a clear defensive function. Of ancient origin, tradition traces its foundation to the Roman consul Quinto Minucio who would have defeated the Apuans here in a legendary battle fought in the second century AD; more likely, the toponym Minucciano alludes to a Roman "praedium" continuator of an Apuan "vicus".
During its history, it was a feud of Malaspina family, and an autonomous municipality, and it had its own currency, the “Barbone Minuccianese”. For its strategic position, on the border between Garfagnana and Lunigiana, the town was disputed for a long time between Pisa, Florence, the Visconti family of Milan and the Estensi of Ferrara, but in the 15th century it became a possession of the city of Lucca, that turned it into a political and defensive strategic town on the upper valley of the Serchio river.
The Banner of the Municipality has the colours of the Republic of Lucca (white and red) and it shows a tower with an arm that holds a sword, and it is a further witness of the long-standing loyalty of the town to Lucca. Noteworthy is the Parish Church entitled to San Michele, again, another witness of the ancient ties with the chief town.