5 – GRAGNOLA (ENG)

The village of Gragnola, possibly of Roman origin, became a town and commercial center around 1400 with the rise of the Malaspina family. Gragnola was surrounded by walls, of which only a few remain today along the perimeter of the village, except on the southern side toward Monzone, where the houses themselves served as a defensive structure. At the corner of the walls facing the Aulella River, the well-preserved ruins of a tower can still be found. Overlooking the village is the Eagle Castle.

The history of the fief is tied to a gruesome event that took place in 1418 when Leonardo seized the castle of Verrucola by having his Malaspina relatives assassinated. The only survivor was the son of Marquis Bartolomeo, Spinetta, who was protected by the Florentine Republic. The Malaspina of Gragnola were ultimately forced by Florence to return all their possessions.

At the heart of the village stands the Church of Saints Hippolytus and Cassian, probably dating back to the 15th century but heavily modified over the following centuries. The façade is distinctly divided into two parts: the lower section, made of isodomic stone and possibly from the 15th century, and the upper section, rebuilt after the 1920 earthquake. The single-nave interior houses altars in marble and polychrome stuccoes. The imposing rectangular bell tower is embedded on the right side of the façade.

Next to the church is a beautiful marble fountain from 1647, known as “Silver Cannonzin”. Originally, the fountain’s jet flowed from a silver eagle, which has since disappeared.