If you get to Fosdinovo, after a stroll along its streets, you have to visit the imposing castle.
The rooms are splendid as well as the round path that, due to its height, gives a breathtaking view.
The castle, completely furnished, is the biggest and best preserved in Lunigiana.

From April to October some rooms are used as Bed & Breakfast: maybe the owners were inspired by the stay of Dante Alighieri who stopped here during his wanders.

A legend:
As many other castles also this one can boast its sad ghost: Bianca Maria Aloisia Malaspina, victim of the scandalous love (for the time) for a young groom, was walled up still alive by her father who can’t accept this shame.

...and a curiosity:
Even if it seems to be a birdcage (photo 43), it is a cradle provided with an adequate shutter where the nobles locked their newborn children to avoid that they could be replaced.

A bit of history:
The building of the castle began in the second half of the 12th century.
In 1340 it was given by the local nobles to Spinetta Malaspina so creating the Marquisate of Fosdinovo.
The Malaspina family ruled until the end of 1700 when Fosdinovo was annexed to the Repubblica Cisalpina.
With the Restoration the feuds of the Malaspina joined the Ducky of Massa Carrara then in 1815 it passed to the Este family and entered the Ducky of Modena and Reggio until the unity of Italy.
In 1866 it was bought back by the marquis Carlo Malaspina.
Without direct heirs of the family, the estate passed to Alessandro Torreggiani who acquired the property and the name.
Alessandro’s son, Carlo Filippo Torreggiani Malaspina, settled the renovation works (1960-1965) which put the shine back to the castle heavily damaged by the devastating effect of the 2nd World War bombings.

Guided tours:
1 May – 30 September:
every day except Tuesday at 11:00-12:00-16:00-17:00-18:00.
1 October-30 April:
Saturday 15:00-16:00-17:00.
Sunday 11:00-12:00-15:00-16:00-17:00

For more info:
castellodifosdinovo (en)
Fosdinovo
wikipedia Castello Malaspina
an old village: Pulica

Castello Malaspina di Fosdinovo
Via Papiriana, 2
54 35 Fosdinovo (MS)
+39 0187 680013 – +39 0187 68891
+39 339 8894423 – +39 055 264288
info@castellodifosdinovo.it