Malgrate Castle, with its characteristic round tower, has been dominating the river Bagnone valley for centuries. The control was also exerted on important routes of communication coming from Appennino, Cisa and Garfagnana. The fort started developing into a castle in the Fourteenth century (although its origin is probably more antique). From this time until the Seventeenth century on the tower waves the banner of the Marquis Malaspina. The tower is 25 meters high and topped by a cantilevered patrol with corbels.
The powerful Malaspina family had to forgo the ownership of the castle in 1615 in favor of the Spanish governor of Pontremoli. In addition to its defensive duties, the castle becomes a residence in 1641, when the central body of the complex is transformed into a noble palace by Marquis Alberti of Cremona, incorporating the round tower. Nevertheless, the looks of Malgrate keep the classic medieval fortress aspect. The main body is the keep, while the above mentioned tower located on the short side of the feudal palace, together with the rectangular floor plan of the latter, declare the military nature of the structure.
The whole complex is surrounded by a trapezoidal wall curtain with battlements and Guelph embankments, slits, and angular towers. The patrol walkway seems to date prior to the Fourteenth century. Next to the west side of the wall the entrance door to the antique hamlet opens up. From here depart the two main roads overlooked by elegant palaces. The inside of the castle displays a door embellished with a sesto acuto (ogive) arch. Some traces of the original drawbridge and postern are still.
Fortunately the whole complex is being restored as the many years of abandonment had severely damaged the entire structure that was literally crumbling. The castle will host the Lunigiana database of all the cultural heritage of the territory. Thanks to its position, the Malgrate Castle is one of the most scenographic of Lunigiana.
Opening Hours of the Castle: May and June: Friday – Saturday – Sunday: 9,30AM to 12,30PM and 4PM to 7PM.
Information Comune di Villafranca – Phone: +39 0187 494400
Admissions: € 2
Contacts: culturabiblioteca@comunevillafrancainlunigiana.it – Website www.comunevillafrancainlunigiana.it –
www.istitutovalorizzazionecastelli.it
Getting to Malgrate Castle:
View Castello di Malgrate in a larger map
Users that read this article also found the following interesting:
- Treschietto Castle in Lunigiana
- Boccale Castle
- Malaspina di Fosdinovo Castle
- Lunigiana Castles in Tuscany – Malaspina di Terrarossa
- Lunigiana Castle Trail
