Malaspina Castle in Fosdinovo

Fosdinovo is home to the medieval castle of the Malaspina family and is one of the best-preserved castles in Lunigiana. The Malaspina family, a minor branch of the Medici family, ruled Lunigiana for centuries and built a series of castles, with Fosdinovo castle being the biggest and most known. The castle was originally built in the late 12th century by the nobles of Fosdinovo to defend themselves from invaders, but in 1340 the castle was ceded to the Malaspina family, who still own it to this day.

History

At the beginning of the 14th century the Malaspina family, who were ruling Lunigiana, moved the seat of the family from Verrucola Castle in Fivizzano to Fosdinovo, and made the town their administrative centre. Over the coming centuries the castle was enlarged, strengthened and beautified. The original 12th century keep was widened and in the 16th century, Gabriele and Lorenzo Malaspina added the Renaissance courtyard.
The drawbridge which once protected the castle, unfortunately no longer exists but the external structure of the castle including the four towers and defensive wall are all intact.
Legend says that Italy's famous Poet, Dante Alighieri, a friend of the Malaspina family, was exiled here for six years. It has been said that he wrote part of the Divine Comedy whilst staying in the castle. You can see Dante's chamber when touring the castle.

Guided Tour of Fosdinovo Castle

You can explore Malaspina castle by taking a guided tour. The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes, and the castle is open weekends in winter and everyday except Tuesday in summer.

The tour starts in the courtyard and will wind through the entrance hall, throne room, dining room and galleries. You will enter rooms decorated with well-preserved furnishings, frescoes and tapestries, and you will walk the patrol trenches and even visit a kitchen with a sinister trapdoor. The tour finishes in the torture room!
Fosdinovo castle captures the image everyone has of a Medieval castle. Powerful location, strong battlements and high towers, grandiose rooms and even a ghost!

The ghost of Bianca Maria Malaspina. Bianca was the daughter of Jacopo Malaspina. Guilty of falling in love with a stable boy, Bianca was walled up alive in a cell together with a dog, symbol of fidelity and eternal love, and a wild boar, to symbolise rebellion. Confirming the authenticity of this tale, recent excavations found bones belonging to a girl and two animals.

How to book

Book direct on their website by clicking here.
Adult 10€
Children 10€
Tour available in both Engligh and Italian