The castle dell’ Aquila is located near Gassano. Lifting your eyes, you can see the dominating figure of the fortified building, which was owned by the family of the Marquis of Malaspina of Ramo Fiorito. After the colossal ten-year restoration, the castle is today the pride of the entire Lunigiana.
The castle was erected to safeguard the route to Rome for the convoys coming from all over Europe. Built in 1366 as a spin-off of Fosdinovo. The lineage of the two Malaspina dynasties that owned the castle ended a first time around 1450, then a second time in first part of the Seventeenth century. Both dynasties belonged to the Fosdinovo branch of the Malaspina family. The restoration followed the complete abandonment of the castle during the Twentieth century.
Castle dell’Aquila can be visited in its integrity. In every season it offers large heated halls for receptions and meetings, nine rooms dedicated to the inn located in the keep, the ravelin, and the panoramic terrace with a view on the creeks of the valley. From here you can admire a fascinating glimpse of the Apuan Alps and its highest peak, Pizzo d’Uccello. The chapel of the castle was restored and consecrated to Catholic worship in 2005 and increases even more the medieval flavor of the castle.
The tour of the castle is guided and lasts one hour. It includes a detailed visit of all the exteriors to then pass to the interiors with a particular visit to the restored chapel of the castle. In the chapel is the last original work of art of the castle as in the decades previous to restorations, floorings, sculptures, fireplaces and stoneworks have all been stolen from the castle.
To further increase the fascination of this castle on those who visit it, there is a mystery from the Middle Ages at Castle dell’Aquila: in 2004 an intact skeleton, which tests revealed to be a knight of the Fourteenth century, was brought to light. He was killed by a crossbow dart in his throat. The Knight is the protagonist of scientific studies and thesis, and now famous in the world of anthropology and Legal Medicine. It is also included in the website of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Environment and of many other historical and scientific institutions. The tour of the castle ends with a visit at the tomb of the night.
More info at:
Castello dell’Aquila – Gragnola (Ms) Italy Dr. Gabriella Girardin Phone +39 389 1643958 or +39 0585 998041 or +39 335 6628357 e-mail: info@castellodellaquila.it – website: www.castellodellaquila.it (English Version)
How to get to Castle dell’Aquila:
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Hi. I’m Uliana Malaspina of the Malaspina Family Dynasty and the Marquis Malaspina (Marchese Malaspina). I’d like to know if the skeleton of the Knight that was found is a member of the Noble Malaspina Family and one of my relatives. Do you know how I can find this information?
Hi Uliana, I believe you can get that information through the art authority of the Massa Carrara. Here the info taken from their website:
Palazzo Reale
Lungarno Pacinotti, 46 – Pisa
Phone: +39/050/926511
Fax. +39/050/500099
e-mail: sbaaas@ambientepi.arti.beniculturali.it
Opening Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 8am-2pm