Waldensian Museum

Guardia Piemontese / Italy

Waldensian Museum Guardia Piemontese
  • Museum

In June 1561, the local lord and his henchmen took the town by force. During this event, 2,000 Waldensians were murdered in Guardia Piemontese and other places. This bloodshed is commemorated by the name of the town’s main gate, “Porta del Sangue”, or Gate of Blood, because it was said that the blood of the murdered ones flowed all the way down to it. Next to the town gate there is now the Cultural Centre of Giovanni Luigi Pascale which contains a permanent exhibition on the history of the Waldensians of Guardia Piemontese.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Waldensians arrived in Calabria fleeing from the Inquisition in the areas of Bobbio Pellice and Torre Pellice (Piedmont). By 1315, they had settled in Montalto Uffugo, later also in San Sosti dei Valdesi, Vacarizzo and San Vincenzo. The local feudal lords, the Spinelli, being lords of Fuscaldo, granted them refuge. By 1375, they had also settled on the hill rising to 500 metres above sea level on which the upper town of Guardia now stands. In June 1561, the local lord and his henchmen took the town by force. During this event, 2,000 Waldensians were murdered in Guardia Piemontese and other places. This bloodshed is commemorated by the name of the town’s main gate, the “Porta del Sangue”, or Gate of Blood, because it was said that the blood of the murdered ones flowed all the way down to it. Next to the town gate there is now the Cultural Centre of Gianluigi Pascale which contains a permanent exhibition on the history of the Waldensians of Guardia Piemontese. The names of 118 known victims of the 1561 massacre are listed on a plate at the rock.

Waldensian Museum
Guardia Piemontese

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Additional touristic information

Information

Short Info

The museum was opened in 2011 in the memory victims at “Massacre of Waldensian in Calabria” in 1561. In 2009 the Waldensian’s Table re-opening the Cultural District of Gianluigi Pascale, the guesthouse and the museum. The museum contains a permanent exhibition on the history of the Waldensians of Guardia and the texile laboratory.

Geography

Is located in Guardia Piemontese in Calabria. Guardia Piemontese has a population of 1.917 people (2017).

Sights

The museum is located in the center of the village next to the “Gate of blood”.

Events

“Occitane Carnevale” (February);
“Commemorative day of Letters patent” (February)
“Festival of Cultural Reformation” (June)

Accessibility

Road Transport

The museum is located in the center of the village you can arrive by foot. From Cosenza you can take the Statal road 107 (about 56 km) or the E45 and after Statal road 283 (about 56 km). The best way to move in this place is by car.

Train

The train Station in Guardia Piemontese is not available. The next accessible train station is located in Terme Lugiane (9 km to Guardia Piemontese)

Bus transport

There is a bus from Cosenza managed by Preite bus service.

Airport

International Airport of Lamezia Terme
is located to the South of Guardia Piemontese. It is about 84 kilometers away to the village.

Our heritage

Historic buildings

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Waldensians arrived in Calabria fleeing from the Inquisition in the areas of Bobbio Pellice and Torre Pellice (Piedmont). By 1315, they had settled in Montalto Uffugo, later also in San Sosti dei Valdesi, Vacarizzo and San Vincenzo. The local feudal lords, the Spinelli, being lords of Fuscaldo, granted them refuge. By 1375, they had also settled on the hill rising to 500 metres above sea level on which the upper town of Guardia now stands. In June 1561, the local lord and his henchmen took the town by force. During this event, 2,000 Waldensians were murdered in Guardia Piemontese and other places. This bloodshed is commemorated by the name of the town’s main gate, the “Porta del Sangue”, or Gate of Blood, because it was said that the blood of the murdered ones flowed all the way down to it. Next to the town gate there is now the Cultural Centre of Giovan Luigi Pascale which contains a permanent exhibition on the history of the Waldensians of Guardia Piemontese. The names of 118 known victims of the 1561 massacre are listed on a plate at the rock.

Natural attractions

Guardia Piemontese is known for seaside tourism especially in Marina di Guardia Piemontese and Guardia Piemontese Termal site. This two place are very close to the village.

Availability

Open from: June to September
Close till : October to May
Admission: free
Denomination: Waldensian museum of Guardia Piemontese
Professional guidance: In the museum there are some volunteer will explain the history and some curiosity about the place.
Type: museum
Attendability: the museum is open just during Summer


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