Tuscany's beauties are endless! Considering its enchanted villages, dreamy landscapes and cities of art, this region is really the perfect destination for a memorable holiday.
As well as Chianti, Val d'Orcia, Versilia and Maremma regions, there is a beautiful area in northern Tuscany that most tourists do not know, but it presents many natural wonders and splendid architectures. We are talking about Lunigiana, a borderland located between Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia Romagna that has always been a land of connection between north and south. Here, a stretch of the Via Francigena passes and dozens of clashes between Byzantines and Lombards have taken place in the medieval period
Precisely for this reason, the hills of Lunigiana feature some ancient castles built in the Middle Ages which were used to control the valleys. Many of them have been destroyed over time, but there are still some magnificent buildings that can be visited and admired.
Want to find out where the castles of Lunigiana are? Start planning your tour checking the list of the 7 most beautiful medieval castles you should visit and live an exciting experience in Tuscany!
The first town where you can find a castle is Pontremoli , also called "land of booksellers" as it houses a famous book festival. In the Middle Ages, merchants and pilgrims passing through this region were housed in Piagnaro Castle. Today, this beautiful building contains the Museum of Stele Statues of Lunigiana, which is dedicated to sandstone artifacts dating back to the pre-Roman period. The caslte dates back to the 11th century and it was part of a large defensive system built up to protect the village from enemy attacks. Although it has been recently renovated, the castle still retains a majestic appearance and it dominates the surrounding valleys from above, instilling fear in those who wish to approach.
Even Aulla was a famous stop of the Via Francigena in the Middle Ages! The road to the town passes next to two magnificent castles, namely those of Bagnone and Filattiera, as well as to Fortezza della Brunella, an imposing quadrangular building on a dark rock dating back to the Renaissance. This is a typical fortification designed for firearms and today it houses the interesting Museum of Natural History of Lunigiana.
Continuing towards "Passo del Cerreto", you will arrive in Fivizzano, a town located between the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Regional Natural Park of the Apuan Alps. It's an area of great naturalistic interest, where you can make beautiful walks or follow a trekking itineraries to explore every corner of this paradise. Not far from Fivizzano there is a charming castle called Castello della Verrucola , a perfectly preserved XII century building surrounded by high walls. A tour inside the castle is a fantastic journey through time that will take you between the legends and the terrifying ghosts that still inhabit this place!
Another castle you must visit at all costs is located in the village of Licciana Nardi : Malaspina di Monti Castle is one of the best preserved fortifications in all of Italy and it still preserves an authentic charm.
And finally, all you have to do is take a trip to Fosdinovo to admire its magnificent castle! The fort stands imposingly in the center of the village and is still in perfect condition. What makes this castle so special is the possibility to visit it at night, taking part in some suggestive night visits. In summer, small groups of visitors can go in search of ghosts with the guides of the castle, listening to the story of Bianca Maria Aloisa Malaspina. The legend tells that girl was walled alive in the castle and that her ghost still moves between its rooms and corridors...
Are you ready to organize a vacation in Lunigiana? Book Casa al Bosco, a stunning property for rent in this area!
© Alice Pilastri
