Malaspina Castle

Malaspina Castle is a medieval fortress perched on a hilltop in Massa, built with fortified walls and bastions to defend the structure. The complex includes a residential palace decorated with frescoes, a defensive keep, and internal courtyards that connect the different sections.

The castle first appeared in written records in 1164 when Emperor Frederick I granted portions of it to the Malaspina family. Over the centuries, the family expanded and rebuilt sections to incorporate new military technologies and improve living conditions.

The castle served as the residence of the Malaspina family for centuries, and you can walk through rooms that show how they lived. The furnishings and objects on display reveal the daily habits and tastes of the nobility who ruled from here.

You can explore the artillery rooms, defensive walkways, and courtyards either on your own or with a guided tour. The site has stairs and uneven surfaces in places, so wearing comfortable shoes is recommended for moving around safely.

The builders smoothed natural rock surfaces to create stable foundations instead of digging expensive ground-level bases for the fortifications. This clever approach used the hill's existing shape to make construction faster and more economical.

Location: Massa

Inception: 1968

Architectural style: medieval architecture

Phone: +390585816524

Email: ppardini@comune.massa.ms.it

GPS coordinates: 44.03335,10.14549

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45