Lari is a small hilltop village located around 30 km from Pisa, that is thought to have been founded by the Etruscans. Its most distinctive feature is the castle that sits at the centre of the village and looks out over the whole area. Most of the present day castle dates back to the first half of the 17th century but records show that a castle has stood in the area since before 1200. It was an incredibly important military stronghold of the Pisan Republic and was caught up in the disputes between Pisa and Florence. When the Florentines took over in 1406, it became the residence of the vicars and was installed with a court room, prison and torture chamber. The prison was enlarged in the 18th century and remained in use until 1934. It was only in 1991, that the Municipality of Lari began restoring the castle and it was then opened to the public as a historic tourist attraction.
As one might imagine, a history filled with punishment, crime, death and torture has lead to a history of ghost stories and the town, at large, is also steeped in some spooky tales. Lari Castle is said to be haunted by the spirit of Giovanni Princi, a man who found hanging in his prison cell in 1922 after being jailed for his political views.
As one might imagine, a history filled with punishment, crime, death and torture has lead to a history of ghost stories and the town, at large, is also steeped in some spooky tales. Lari Castle is said to be haunted by the spirit of Giovanni Princi, a man who found hanging in his prison cell in 1922 after being jailed for his political views.
Bruising on his body, however, suggested that there was more to his death and later occupants reported seeing him and other mysterious ghostly figures every so often.
Gostanza da Libbiano, meanwhile, was a woman arrested in 1594 after the death of a young boy. The 60 year old lady was a well-known local healer that people came from all around the area to visit and be cured by her. Upon the death of the young boy that she had tried to cure, she was accused of murder and dealing with the Devil. She was quickly incarcerated, interrogated and, even, tortured, leading to a confession of her “crimes”.
When the General Inquisitor of Florence turned up and re-read the relevant documents, he realised that the case was merely a result of envious people in the town wrongly accusing her and Gostanza was cleared of witchcraft charges.
Gostanza da Libbiano, meanwhile, was a woman arrested in 1594 after the death of a young boy. The 60 year old lady was a well-known local healer that people came from all around the area to visit and be cured by her. Upon the death of the young boy that she had tried to cure, she was accused of murder and dealing with the Devil. She was quickly incarcerated, interrogated and, even, tortured, leading to a confession of her “crimes”.
When the General Inquisitor of Florence turned up and re-read the relevant documents, he realised that the case was merely a result of envious people in the town wrongly accusing her and Gostanza was cleared of witchcraft charges.
Despite being cleared off al the crimes, she was banned from treating people and animals and banished to three miles away from her house under penalty of the whip and imprisonment. While she didn't die in the castle, she is still said to haunt it.
Lari Castle and the whole town are wonderfully charming and fascinating, with a darker history waiting to be uncovered under the surface. There are also plenty of excellent places to eat in the area, making it, overall, an excellent place to take a day trip and try something a little different once you have found a luxury villa in Pisa and are exploring Tuscany.
Lari Castle and the whole town are wonderfully charming and fascinating, with a darker history waiting to be uncovered under the surface. There are also plenty of excellent places to eat in the area, making it, overall, an excellent place to take a day trip and try something a little different once you have found a luxury villa in Pisa and are exploring Tuscany.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Reinhard Braun / CC BY 2.5;
Picture 2: LigaDue / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Lahiri Cappello / CC BY 2.0
Picture 1: Reinhard Braun / CC BY 2.5;
Picture 2: LigaDue / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Lahiri Cappello / CC BY 2.0
