Castello Malaspina of Fosdinovo

Situated in the hills of Lunigiana, in the province of Massa-Carrara, the Castello Malaspina of Fosdinovo is one of the most fascinating testimonies of the Italian Middle Ages. With its imposing towers, massive walls and a history spanning centuries, this castle offers an unforgettable journey through time, between historical reality and legend. It is one of the largest and best preserved of the thirty or so castles in Lunigiana and dominates the Tyrrhenian coast from its position 550 meters above sea level.

The origins of the Castello Malaspina date back to the 11th century, when Castrum Fosdinovense is mentioned in a document from 1084. Fosdinovo then became a fief of the Bishops of Luni in 1124 and then passed to the Malaspina marquises. Around the beginning of the 14th century, the local lord Spinetta Malaspina moved his residence from the Castello della Verrucola, near Fivizzano, to the Castello di Fosdinovo. After a period in which the castle passed to the condottiere Castruccio Castracani, the fortress finally returned to the Malaspina in 1328. It was from 1340, when the local nobles officially recognized the Malaspina’s jurisdiction over Fosdinovo, that the castle was renovated and began to take on its current appearance.

The architecture of Fosdinovo’s Castello Malaspina is a perfect example of a medieval fortress, with elements reflecting both defensive and residential functions. The structure is characterized by an irregular plan adapted to the morphology of the land, surrounded by strong walls. Dating back to the Renaissance is the elegant marble portal that starts the tour itinerary. From the entrance hall one passes through the dining room with its large 18th-century fireplace and collection of 17th-century apothecary jars, the throne room, with adjacent, in the oldest east tower, the so-called “Dante’s room,” where the Supreme Poet is said to have slept when he was housed in the castle during his period of exile.

Like many medieval castles, Castello Malaspina is also shrouded in an aura of mystery and legend. One of the most famous stories concerns the figure of Bianca Maria Aloisia, a young noblewoman of the Malaspina family. According to legend, Bianca Maria fell in love with a young stable boy, a love that was forbidden because of the difference in social class. When the family discovered the affair, they tried to separate the two lovers by all means. Tradition has it that Bianca Maria was forced to take monastic vows, but she refused. In response, the Malaspina family decided to punish her by walling her alive in a cell inside the castle, where the young woman died of hardship. The ghost of Bianca Maria, according to legend, still roams the rooms and corridors of the castle, seeking peace.

It is said that in one of the rooms of the castle there is a “well of forgetfulness,” a pitfall full of blades that led to the unfortunate being thrown into a canal. It seems that in this well the marquise Cristina Adelaide Pallavicino, wife of Ippolito Malaspina and apparently a woman of insatiable appetites, used to make her lovers plunge through a trapdoor at the foot of the bed so that they could tell nothing. We do not actually know of the possible existence of such a trapdoor.

Guided tours allow visitors to explore the various sections of the castle, from the towers to the dungeons, providing a comprehensive overview of its history and architecture. The interior rooms have been restored and furnished with period furniture, creating an atmosphere that takes you back in time.

The castle was the residence of the Malaspina family of Spino Fiorito for five centuries, and after various vicissitudes, it is still owned today by the Torrigiani-Malaspina marquises. It is possible to take guided tours inside the castle and also to stay overnight in the rooms on the upper floor, which now house a fine Bed and Breakfast. Moreover, the Castello Malaspina in Fosdinovo is not only a tourist destination, but also an ideal starting point for exploring Lunigiana, a region rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Lunigiana is known for its medieval villages, Romanesque parish churches, and marvels ranging from the mountains of the Apennines to the shores of the Ligurian Sea.