Top 18 Castles around Tresana

The Castle of Bagnone is an ancient fortified structure located on the highest hill of the medieval village of Bagnone, in the historical region of Lunigiana (province of Massa-Carrara). Today, the original medieval structure has almost entirely disappeared: the only surviving and perfectly preserved element is the imposing cylindrical stone keep, which towers over the settlement and is integrated into the 19th-century Villa of the counts Ruschi-Noceti.

The Torre del Castello Malaspina in the municipality of Villafranca in Lunigiana mainly refers to the imposing and famous cylindrical structure of the Castello Malaspina di Malgrate, although in the municipal capital there are also the ruins of the Castello di Malnido, the historic Dantesque residence of the Malaspina marquises, which was also originally equipped with a control tower. The best-preserved and famous fortification with its slender tower is located precisely in the hamlet of Malgrate. The cylindrical keep towers over the valley and is an unmistakable symbol of the Lunigiana landscape.

The entrance to Malgrate Castle in Villafranca in Lunigiana is preceded by an ancient moat crossed by a stone bridge that has replaced the old drawbridge, leading to a short staircase and a pointed arch gateway.

Aula is a fundamental hub of the Via Francigena, it was tormented by the bombings of the Second World War, causing the almost total destruction of its historic center, of which very few vestiges remain. It is located a few kilometers from the border with Liguria, on a narrow strip of land at the confluence of the Magra river and the Aulella stream, a decisive place for the civil and religious life of the entire area before the year 1000. Aulla in that period was already a small village and its importance was linked precisely to its central position along the Via Francigena, both as a pilgrimage road and as a commercial artery. The center of the town had an important role in defending the roads that led from the Lucca area and Liguria towards the Cisa Pass.

The Brunella Fortress owes its name to the hill on which it was built in the mid-16th century. The fort is a typical example of Renaissance military architecture, designed to defend against firearm attacks. It is an almost square construction with large polygonal struts. What is certain is that the complex represents the most powerful military work in Lunigiana and its strategic position allowed it, in the past, to control all the main routes in the area and the arrivals from the Apennine passes.

Bagnone Castle is located on the highest hill and is clearly visible as soon as you enter the town. It is dominated by an imposing cylindrical stone tower, crowned by corbels of the plumbing system with archers and larger openings framed by frames. The tower remains the only surviving structure of the castle, which has now completely disappeared and is partly incorporated into smaller buildings of the villa of the Counts Ruschi-Noceti. The castle is privately owned and cannot be visited.

Medieval Castle of 1351. The fortification, which controlled the most important communication routes coming from the Apennines, Cisa and Garfagnana, developed in the 14th century (but its origins are probably older) and on its tower, 25 meters high and crowned by a corbeled patrol embossment, the flag of the Malaspina marquises flew until the 17th century. In addition to performing defensive functions, the castle became a noble residence in 1641, when the central body was transformed into a palace, incorporating the round tower. Despite this, the appearance of Malgrate is that of a classic medieval fortress: the main body is made up of the keep, located on the short side of the rectangular feudal palace and surrounded by walls, equipped with Guelph battlements, slopes and a patrol walkway that seems to date back to the 14th century.

Ruins of the Malnido Castle, with the square dedicated to Dante Alighieri, ancient guest of the Malaspina, and the remains of the church of San Nicolò, the medieval road leads to the parish church of San Giovanni