5 – CASTEVOLI (ENG)

The village of Castevoli is in Lunigiana, nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. With over a thousand years of history, it has seen the rule of the Este family, the Republic of Genoa, and the Malaspina dynasty, who gave the castle its current appearance.

It is believed that the castle originally began as a small fortress guarding key communication routes before becoming a strategic stronghold overseeing the roads leading along the river towards Chiesaccia and Terrarossa. The first recorded mention of the fortification dates to 1077, when Emperor Henry III granted the village to Marquises Ugo and Folco d’Este, descendants of the Obertenghi family. In 1221, following the division of the Malaspina lineage into the Spino Secco and Spino Fiorito branches, Castevoli came under their rule.

The village is distinguished by its double-gated entrance and a massive cylindrical stone tower. Above the inner gate, a three-part bas-relief is embedded, depicting a marble Madonna flanked by two sandstone angels. The castle’s dominant features include a tall cylindrical tower, characteristics of Malaspinian castles, and the keep. These structures are interconnected within a compact architectural complex, where an elegant arched entrance, decorated with rusticated stone elements, leads to a pseudo-triangular inner courtyard. The western wing, once equipped with corner sentry posts, still bears traces of the stone corbels that once supported them.

After being part of the Republic of Genoa, Castevoli became an independent fief in 1561, prompting significant renovations that transformed the castle into a refined fortified residence that can still be admired today.

The village’s history is marked by numerous revolts, which continued until 1797, when Malaspina rule ended. Following damage sustained during the French invasion, the castle fell into neglect. Restoration efforts began only in 1991, and today it houses an International Cultural Center dedicated to the arts.

The village church, predating even the castle, suffered the collapse of its roof in 1948, rendering it unusable. Although it now stands in a state of visible decay, some frescoes inside remain discernible.