Castello Malaspina, Renaissance palace in Carrara, Italy

Castello Malaspina is a palace in Carrara with two distinct architectural sections: a medieval fortress wing facing Piazza Gramsci and a Renaissance addition along Via Roma. This combination creates a layered structure that shows different building periods in a single complex.

Built on fortifications from the Lombard period, the palace dates to the era of Guglielmo Malaspina and became the dynasty's permanent residence in 1448. It combines a 13th-century Malaspina castle with a Renaissance palace begun by Alberico I in the late 16th century. After the Malaspina fall, works were stolen during Carrara's occupations and the tower was put to other uses.

The palace's rooms hold collections tied to Carrara's marble and art history: the Sala dei Nobili houses the most complete national marble collection (marmoteca), while the Sala delle Colonne holds the institute library with two original editions of the Encyclopédie. Under the medieval loggia stand Roman, medieval and Renaissance works, including the votive shrine of Fantiscritti. The private princely apartments keep the Zaccagna archive and the Del Medico Lunigiana bibliography.

The building houses the central seat of Carrara's Accademia di Belle Arti, so access is arranged through the academy rather than a public ticket office. Contact the administration in advance to request a visit; the library, the marble collection and the plaster casts are study rooms, not a museum open all day.

Under the medieval loggia are displayed Roman, medieval and Renaissance works, including the votive aedicula of Fantiscritti, a carved marble shrine from the Fantiscritti quarries. The palace also holds the Sala dei Nobili, whose marmoteca is described as the most complete national collection of marble samples.