In this so pleasant and isolated place, one can focus on a particular aspect of the history of this area, namely the period around 1500, when brigands ran wild in Ceserana. The presence of these bandits in Garfagnana was one of the main problems faced by the then “Este” governor, the famous writer and poet Ludovico Ariosto.
Let's continue with the deeds of the bandits in Ceserana by the words of the local historian Raffaello Raffaelli.
“Hence the many troublemakers, hidden as the were by the fortresses, robbed, killed and committed crimes of all source, as had happened in Ceserana, where, by the end of the 15th century a bunch of wicked, that had allied with Antonio and Donnino from Montebiotto, with Pietro from Castagnola and other foreigners friends to Gregoretto di Valle, lowered menace to that peaceful people, to whom, in september 1494, they had stolen all the cestnuts in the woods. The municipality had informed the Duke of Modena Ercole I, begging him to adopt tougher measures for the public security. This with hardly any acheivement. Hence for about 20 years, Ceserana served as a refuge for bandits and murderers, plunderers, havoc and terror raisers. Were then famed Nicodemo and Minello Fiorentini, Giuliano son to Pellegrino from Sillico, Baldone Giuliano's brother and the frightening Moro. These two had wed two sisters and owned a house in Ceserana where they received other brigands in offence to the Ariosto's sentence to have the house burnt down. Amongst the many crimes committed we remember the killings of a certain Ser Frediano and a Priest from Pisa, robbed of his wealth, 100 ducats, these were brought to Moro's home. In his letters of april the 25th, may the 28th, and june the 15th 1523 to the Duke, Ariosto gives a truely dark picture of the daring and the guilt of those crooks and of the fear layed upon the village, mainly for Giulianetto's threats, for the Moro's brothers and other bandits that there were based, and that, with the wit of some from Castelnuovo, had become the tyrants of the place”
