Things to do in Casola in Lunigiana Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The Aquila Castle was the property of the Marquises Malaspina del Ramo Fiorito. For almost ten years the building has undergone major restorations. From the terrace of the castle you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Apuan Alps. Currently, it is open to the public.

The Verrucola Castle was first mentioned in 1044. In 1481, due to an earthquake, much of the building was destroyed. During the 15th century, the Castle was flanked by a church. Of great interest is the arms room located on the ground floor.

The castle of Bigliolo was one of the fortifications of the great Episcopal Court of Lunigiana, which suffered from various events related to wars in the thirteenth century such as those between the Bishop and the Malaspina in Val by Aulellà, who passed the castle into the hands of the Marquises of Filattiera. In 1412 the Biglioli Dynasty became extinct and in 1418 Bigliolo passed under the rule of Florence. Bigliolo was attacked in 1523 by Giovanni de' Medici. In 1568, the sons of Lazarus I divided the marquisate into two parts.

The Castle of Olivola, which dominated from the top of a hill the entire hilly system between Tavarone and Aulella, already belonged to the Malaspina and formed in a fief in the fourteenth century, preserves some traces nowadays of the imposing construction among the ruins of its mighty walls, as well as two large circular towers.

The Castle of Bastia dates back to the twelfth century and rises above a hill, since it was built for defensive — military purposes. Over the centuries it has passed to several owners. Nowadays it is owned by individuals and is in excellent condition.

The Tower of Varano was mentioned for the first time in the fifteenth-century statutes. From this construction the city itself in which it is located took its name.

The Castle of Terrarossa was built around the 16th century with the intention of replacing the residential apartments of an ancient medieval building. Since the construction was very large, the remains that we see today, are incorporated into a civil building, better known by the name of Castelletto. It is currently open to visitors.

The Malaspina Castle was used as a home by the homonymous family who gave it its name. It was built in the Middle Ages, then transformed into a stately home. The façade dates back to the seventeenth century and has been modified and expanded several times over the centuries. Today, from the initial structure we can admire the door, two towers and part of the city walls.

The Castle of Pontebosio is a stately residence that dates back to the 17th century and is located right in the main square of the village. Four square towers are also part of the structure. It is very easily noticed, being placed on a hill. It is currently open to tourists.

The Castle of Pallerone took on a certain consistency since the fifteenth century. Fortifications, erected in the 16th century to protect the settlement, remain few traces of the walls and only one tower. In the tower is set up one of the oldest mechanical cribs in Italy, of 1935, a masterpiece of folk art, based on an elaborate electromechanical and hydraulic system.

The Malaspina Castle of Fosdinovo, dating back from the second half of the twelfth century, stands to the north of Tuscany between the Alps and the Tyrrhenian coast. Today it is a museum, a cultural center dedicated to the contemporary arts, a retreat for artists and writers and a small bed and breakfast.

The Tower of Apella is located on the slopes of the Apennines in Licciana Nardi. In this building, Anacarsi Nardi was born, great hero of the Risorgimento. Currently, the tower is the private home of a farm.

Castello di Monti is a building that dates back to 1275. In ancient times it was used as a transit place for goods between Parma and Sarzana. The building stands on a hill and has an irregular structure, with a powerful keep and some towers, clearly visible. Fortunately, it is a building in excellent condition and open to the public.

The Malaspina Castle is located in the medieval historic center of the city. It takes this name precisely in reference to the family that had it built. It has a square structure and a very elegant sixteenth-century transept. The building is considered a real beauty, both for the type of construction and for the type of material used, such as white and pink marble.

The Castle of Bibola is the result of several buildings, identifiable in four distinct phases: the first phase, constructive, dates back to the 13th-13th century. The general structure of the castle can be traced back to the second construction phase dating back to the fourteenth century. The third phase dates back to the building of the tower in the southeast corner, with a diameter of about 6 meters. Some well-preserved architectural elements, dating back to the fourth construction phase, can be seen on the southeast front of the curtain wall, where an opening opens dominated by a six termination - eighteenth-century.

The Castle of Moneta dates back to Roman times, a period when you have news of it as a rustic villa. The construction was used for various functions and uses, as well as being switched to different owners. His past has made sure that today we can admire only a few parts of it, some of which are very degraded.

The Museum of Natural History of Lunigiana is located inside the Fortress of Brunella in the locality of Aulla, in the province of Massa Carrara. The Fortress dates back to the period between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, and belongs to the Renaissance era. The Museum was established in 1981, with the aim of collecting and presenting to the public a vast collection of natural sciences. Today the museum is open to the public.

The fortress consists of beautiful military architecture, and is surrounded by a wonderful park, and a long botanical path. In the central building of the fortress, since 1997, a museum has been inaugurated, consisting of four rooms, offering a complete and innovative description of the Lunigian landscape, focusing the attention of the visitor on the relationship between the human activities of agro-forest-pastoral civilization and natural resources.

The first information on the Castle of Podenzana came to us in the distant '884 thanks to a documentation from the Abbey of Aulla. The property allows you to admire a magnificent view. The fortress was disputed for a long time between the Luni and the Malaspina. The current castle is not accessible to the public as a private property.

Cathedral of the city of Massa, building of remarkable dimensions, inside a considerable number of altars. Of great artistic prestige are two paintings representing the Virgin Mary and the holy Trinity in glory that can be seen inside.

In the historic center, where there is the single most impressive building in the city, there is Piazza Aranci, named by a double row of orange trees that still surrounds it on three sides, making it a symbol and pride of its citizens.

Designed and built by Giovanni Francesco Bergamini in 1705, it is a majestic building that occupies the entire east side of Piazza Aranci. Both the interior and exterior of the building are decorated with beautiful frescoes and stucco of artistic val

Begun in 1963 as a result of destruction during the Second World War of the ancient temple in honor of San Sebastiano, the church of imposing dimensions with a charming interior decorated with frescoes of artistic value.

The Diocesan Museum was established in 2003 and is set up inside the Palazzo dei Cadet. Inside there are sacred vestments, works of art and liturgical coming from the churches of the territory of Massa and from the cathedral of San Pietro and San Francesco. Among the most important works there is a statue depicting “San Leonardo” by Jacopo della Quercia and a marble sculpture depicting the 'Pietà' of Felice Palma.

Dominating the town of Massa, on a rocky outcrop near the city itself, there is the Rocca of Malaspina, composed of one part of medieval origin and by the residence of the Malaspina family.

The Malaspina Castle is located on the hill overlooking the coast of Massa. In the past it was the stately home of the Marquises Malaspina of Fosdinovo who carried out various transformations within the structure. Until 1946 the castle was used as a prison site and then was restored by the Superintendence of Monuments of Pisa.

The castle of Bagnone is located in the Province of Massa and Carrara. The most important part of the castle is the cylinder shaped tower. This part of the castle has survived to the present day. Instead, there is a medieval structural part of the original village that is in perfect condition. Inside the castle we also find the Church of St. Nicholas. The current owner of the property is a private individual. The castle is not accessible to visitors.

The construction dates back to the 8th century and was erected for defensive and strategic reasons. Over the years, various changes have been made to her as it has been owned by several historical figures. It is among the symbolic monuments of the city. Today, the tower is the only part left intact. The visit to the public is free of charge.

The Castle of Lusoil was built around the twelfth century, according to the written sources that document its presence. Thanks to its raised position, it allowed control of the valley bottom. Today we can see most of its structure, even if small parts have been damaged.

It is thought that the origins of the Borgo di Caprigliola date back to the twelfth century. The summer residence of the Bishops was located inside this village, and also a church of the eighteenth century was part of it. The episcopal residence is located in the upper part of the hill. In the 16th century, the Florentines built fortified walls. The Village of Caprigliola is recognized for its rich artistic heritage, characteristic are the coats of arms and portals

The Tower of Caprigliola dates back to the first half of the 13th century. It is located in Caprigliola, a hamlet of Aulla in the province of Massa and Carrara, in Tuscany. The tower is located in the heart of the village of Caprigliola. It is built of stone directly on the rock. It rises from a circular plant. It is a characteristic feature of the Burgense buildings. Its height is 28.80 m.

Founded in 1980 by order of Don Luis Bonacoscia, the ethnographic and anthropological museum consists of a surface area of 976m square that includes a collection of agricultural-pastoral civilization of Lunigiana.