On our visit to the Lunigiana area of Northern Tuscany in July 2019, we planned several road trips to tour the various castles in the small hilltop villages. Throughout history this area was an important strategic location, and there are literally dozens of castles in varying conditions scattered through the area. We managed to visit 6 of them. By far the best of them was The Malaspina Castle in Fosdinovo.
Be aware there are other Malaspina castles, in Carrara, Filattiera, Virgoletta, Terrarossa, Tresana, and Licciana Nardi. The Malaspina family was rich and powerful and controlled the Lunigiana region. The Fosdinovo castle is incredible. So rich in history. At 1500 meters above sea level, it has a commanding view of the valley below and the sea beyond. The castle dates to 1100, it was bombed by the allies in WWII but restored soon after. Period furnishings from the renaissance are throughout the castle. The kitchen, the horse stables, the weapons, the fescoed walls are all here.
We paid 16 euro for the two of us and had a personal tour of the castle. While the man who gave us the tour spoke limited English, he had a cheat sheet in English and was easy to understand. He knew the history of the place and was very interesting.
So many stories. Dante Aligheri wrote his Divine Comedy in this castle! One of the Ladies of the castle took secret lovers from the village and disposed of them down the secret trap door. There's also the story of how workers in the 1940's rebuilding the destroyed parts of the castle discovered a full skeleton behind a wall. The castle is rumored to be haunted. Good stuff! The Castle sits at the top of Fosdinovo, andis an excellent village to explore. Take the Sarzana exit off of the A12 Autostada, and drive about 15 minutes through the country and up the hill. Well worth it.
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Sounds amazing. Thanks for the information.