Malgrate – Lunigiana

Malgrate is surely one of the more beautiful hamlet in Lunigiana (land of Toscana). It is characterized by a fantastic castle and is located on the top of a hill. The castle origins are dated 1351 (first year the castle was mentioned in some documents), but the hamlet and the castle tower are surely older.

The castle was a Malaspina family estate. This family was very powerful especially in Lunigiana and Garfagnana lands. Its origins comes from X century (on 945 year Oberto I Earl of Luni was the progenitor of Malaspina family).

The castle was used mainly to control roads to Passo della Cisa and Garfagana land and its main characteristic is the 25 meters high tower, with a particular battlement shaped end. During years the castle was fortified with boundary walls and nowadays it is a magnificent example of a medieval building.

The Malaspina domain on Malgrate lasted until 1610 when the village was given to Ducato di Milano. On 1641 year Milano gave Malgrate to Ariberti family of Cremona.

About Malgrate must be mentioned also Chiesa di San Lorenzo, a wonderful church perfectly embedded in the hamlet scheme so not easy to be externally recognized. This church was built during Ariberti family domain period.

Last thing to underline is that Malgrate is perfectly preserved and restored, so it is worth to be visited.