Malaspina Castle of Malgrate


Malgrate rises along the road that connects Villafranca Lunigiana to Bagnone and it is easily reachable following a short deviation. Villafranca, chief town of common, lies to half way between the  motorway A15 exits of 'Aulla' and  'Pontremoli'.


The small, but mighty, Malaspina Castle of Malgrate has dominated for centuries the valley of the river Bagnone, tributary of the river Magra, with its characteristic round tower crowning a hill that exalts its strategic position.

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The fortification was developed in 1275 and since then on its slender tower, 25 meters tall, waved the marquises Malaspina's standard, uncontested feudatory of the whole Lunigiana area. The dominion of the powerful family finished in the year 1615, when Malgrate surrendered to the Spanish governor of the near town of Pontremoli. The suburb passed to the marquises Ariberti to which we owe the 15th century aspect of the inhabited area, developed attached to the castle walls.

Even if many times reconstructed in the centuries, the castle still preserves the typical medieval aspect. Luckily the whole fortified complex has been recently submitted to an excellent work of restoration after years of abandonment, that were letting it literally fall asunder. Its enclosure walls endowed with battlements, the high tower still gifted with machicoulis (projection from the wall made of stone which has openings through which the defenders can fire upon an enemy directly below), the main gate, the ancient suburb with the two principal roads, make of Malgrate, thanks to its dominant position, one of the more scenographic fortifications of the Lunigiana.


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