Pontremoli, defined by Fredrick II as the “key and door to the Apennines,” was a medieval oppidum and a trading village, a crossroads of transit routes, including the Francigena, and in the 12th and 13th centuries, a free comune. After its redevelopment in the 1700s, the medieval and Baroque periods began to co-exist.

Piagnaro Castle, located on a hill overlooking the village, was built around the year 1000 to watch over the road network that wound its way through these valleys, becoming an integral part of the city’s defense system. Its name comes from the sheets of sandstone used to cover the roofs of homes, known as “piagne”. From the courtyard at the top of the fortress, visitors can enjoy a marvellous view that ranges from the valleys down below to the mountains that frame the village of Pontremoli, situated right at the foot of the castle.
https://www.visittuscany.com

Piagnaro Castle

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The “Villa of Chiosi” was constructed during the last years of the seventeenth century by the brothers Carlo and Francesco Dosi, two rich business men who had found in Pontremoli an ideal place where the trade among the Leghorn harbor and the Po Valley (italian: Pianura Padana) where flourishing.

The history of the mansion is tied to the history of the Dosi family, who from its construction to the present day has always been connected to this place, going through periods of splendor and through periods of abandon, until coming to the challenging restoration thanks to which today we can admire the Villa in all of its glory.
The first historic information about the Dosi family are related to the pledge of allegiance that was made in Modena in 1168 by some family members and to their participation to conflicts for territorial supremacy, which took place in that city during the XII and the XIV centuries. Then the family moved to Bologna and later to Belgioso in the province of Pavia; in 1496 a Guglielmo, moved to Pontremoli as a commander of the Sforzesco Castle of Piagnaro.

In the next decades the Dosi family began a lucrative trading activity between Pontremoli, Leghorn and Piacenza and in a short time they reached a remarkable welfare.

In the meantime, thanks to cautious wedding politics, the family tied itself to the most important local houses. The full recognition of the family in Pontremoli happened at the end of the first half of the XVII century, when Carlo’s son, Nicolò Dosi (1619-1669) was admitted to the General Council of Pontremoli.

During the last decade of the seventeenth century, the heirs -Carlo and Francesco- of the rich merchant Nicolò Dosi, built and decorated the so called “house of Chiosi”. At the entrance of the Villa, the visitors can witness the two brothers accompanied by the family coat of arms (a stork, a tower and two dolphins) and by cartouches -ornate frame- that reports the data 1700, when the house was constructed. The idea and the project of the Villa are related to the figure of Carlo Dosi, he was a man of vast culture, lover of art, architecture and gardening, who -for the decoration of his house- chose among some of the most famous artists of that period, as the architect and decorator Francesco Natali and the painter Alessandro Gherardini.

In 1724 Carlo Dosi died and the interests of the family were conducted by his son, Giuseppe Antonio Dosi (1679-1769) with great initiative, although he moved his interests and his financial resources into the construction of city palace. In these years Giuseppe Antonio focused on policy and affairs, in order to occupy a more influential social position, becoming marquise in 1733.

The descending parable of the family started with the next generation: while the economic conditions in Pontremoli were adverse, the heirs faced hereditary issues. These dynamics lead not only to the division of the property and of the villa, but also to a patrimonial crisis of the family. The abandon of the house the day after French Revolution represents the acme of this sequence of events. During the XIX century and the XX century, the fortunes of the family started to rise again, thanks to figures like the one of Gian Simone (1790-1854), Gian Carlo (1824-1915), who is remembered because he presented to the king Vittorio Emanuele II with other important people, such as the composer Giuseppe Verdi, the results of the plebiscite for the annexation of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza to the Kingdom of Piedmont who rapidly became the Kingdom of Italy and his son Andrea (1863-1924).

With a lot of efforts the house and the property have been gathered, creating the conditions for that Gian Carlo (1896-1979) and Pier Andrea (1928…) could end the work, with the completion of the restoration in 1990.

Villa Dosi Delfini

Malgrate Castle is situated in Villafranca in Lunigiana and its striking round tower has presided over the valley of the River Bagnone for centuries.

The fort, which controlled the most important communication routes from the Apennines, Cisa and Garfagnana, was built in the 14th century (but it probably has older origins) and the Malaspina marquises’ banner waved on its tower, 25 metres tall and topped with a lookout point, until the 17th century.

As well as serving a defensive function, the castle became a noble residence in 1641, when the central part was turned into a palace including the round tower.

However, the appearance of Malgrate is that of a classic medieval fortress: the main part consists of the keep, located on the short side of the feudal palace in a rectangular shape and surrounded by walls, with Guelph battlements, embankments and a walkway which probably dates back to the 14th century.

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Malgrate Castle

The Borgo Castello di Castiglione or the castle town of Castiglione is located one km away from the town of Palombara Sabina. The castle is quite magnificent and is known to be one of the best examples of medieval structure. The building of the castle itself dates back to the later half of the 13th century and stands dominating the entire territory due to its location at a high altitude. The construction of the castle was probably done at a single time. The castle is spread over an area of 1200 square meters. The castle is located on top of a hill at a height of 750 meters close to the Monte Lucretti Park in the Rome province.

 

History of the Castle
The castle had been built in the later half of the 13th century thought the exact year of construction is not known. The first time that the castle had been mentioned in a document had been in the year 1276. In the year 1276, the castle had been sold to the family of Renaud Palombara and the castle then had been passed on to the Savelli family when it had been sold to James Savelli. The castle of Castiglione remained with the Savelli family until the mid 14th century.

Pope Honorius IV and his Savelli family, kept the castle until the end of the 14th century. There had been a document dating back to the year 1427 which mentioned that the castle along with several other monuments and castles in the Monte Lucretti area had been abandoned due to an epidemic. While others believe that the castle itself had been badly damaged due to earthquakes.
The castle itself had been built in pure medieval style. The San Martino hermitage was located close to the castle which dated back to the year 1000. The hermitage had existed till around the 17th century when it had been completely destroyed. The castle is spread over an area of 1200 square meters and includes double circular walls which are still quite well preserved. The walls are still buried but can be partly seen.

A Roman cistern and a church had been built inside the castle using the remains of an older Roman castle which had been built earlier in the area. Because of the Roman cistern it is believed that the area might have been inhabited since the Roman times. There had been a series of terraces which had been built in the area for making the slopes of the hills cultivable and had been used till recent times.
https://www.lifeinitaly.com

 The castle town of Castiglione

Belforte is on a small hill, 3 km from Todi center, in open countryside, surrounded by oak forests and oak, with a view of a unique landscape and nature. Near the castle is a sports center where there are tennis courts and
football pitches, a large swimming pool, field archery and horse riding. Todi, the famous medieval city is ideal
for those wishing to visit Umbria because almost equidistant from all the major art centers of the region. Events: "Mostra Mercato del Tartufo nero" (Norcia), " Review of Antique Italy " (Todi),"The Let's paint the skies "
(Castiglione del Lago) "National Exhibition of Antiques and Calendimaggio" (Assisi) "Feast of Candles" and "Crossbow",
"Biennale of Sculpture" (Gubbio) "Spoleto Festival"(Spoleto),"Flower Festival of Corpus Christi"(Spello)
"The Carousel of Quintana" (Foligno), "Umbria Jazz", "Eurochocolate" (Perugia).

https://www.castellodibelforte.it

 Castello Di Belforte

Il castello di Suvero è stato un edificio difensivo e residenziale sito in piazza Fontana Benedetto Mergoni nella frazione di Suvero a Rocchetta di Vara, nell'alta val di Vara in provincia della Spezia.
Cenni storici e descrizione
A dominio del borgo di Suvero si trova il castello, lungo la via che porta al passo dei Casoni. Quando il marchese Rinaldo Malaspina nel 1549 ricevette l'investitura come signore del feudo di Suvero, decise di ampliare e rinnovare, il precedente castello già vecchio di quattro secoli.

La costruzione fu eseguita a pianta trapezoidale, con tre dei quattro angoli rafforzati da altrettante imponenti torri. Data l'epoca, in pieno Rinascimento, il castello pur mantenendo un aspetto imponente, aveva ormai perso la sua originaria vocazione esclusivamente militare per diventare una dimora, nonostante la presenza delle infrastrutture necessarie al casermaggio di una piccola guarnigione. Per oltre due secoli divenne quindi, l'abitazione dei feudatari di Suvero e nonostante alcuni danni provocati da eventi bellici, in verità piuttosto limitati e prontamente riparati, rimase praticamente intatto.

Nel 1797, dopo la fine della signoria dei Malaspina decretata dalla nuova dominazione francese napoleonica, che spogliarono della giurisdizione feudale anche tutti gli altri nobili della Lunigiana, il castello fu abbandonato dai suoi proprietari. L'incuria che si prolungò per tutto l'Ottocento e il terribile terremoto del 1920, provocarono il crollo di alcune parti dell'edificio, fra cui due delle tre torri d'angolo; ne è sopravvissuta solo una alta 18 metri.

Attualmente il castello è a due piani: esistono tracce che dimostrano l'esistenza di un terzo piano, in cui era collocato anche un mulino a vento la cui macina è conservata nel castello. In anni recenti il castello di Suvero, per la terza volta nella sua lunghissima storia, è stato completamente restaurato. Attualmente è adibito a dimora privata.

Castello di Suvero 

The Museums of Castello Doria Malaspina houses inside the following museums: Museum of the Brigade "Vara Valley", Museum of Faunal Resources, Gallery "David Beghè" Small Peter Rose Museum, Museum of Peasant Tradition and Beekeeping Museum. Also in the Little Peter Rose Museum it will be able to appreciate the Stele Statue of Borseda. On the main floor will appreciate the beauty of the Show Recommend in with the big wrought iron chandelier and fireplace. The Hall is used for events, exhibitions, conferences and for the celebration of weddings.

https://www.itinari.com/

 Castello Doria Malaspina

Il castello di Monti è una fortezza di epoca medievale che si trova a Monti, frazione di Licciana Nardi, in provincia di Massa Carrara.

Il castello nacque probabilmente con funzione di sbarramento, in quanto sorge nel punto in cui si incrociavano la strada proveniente da Lucca e la strata Lizane che dall'Emilia proseguiva verso il fondo valle lunigianese.

Il castello ebbe, come tutto il borgo, una storia travagliata. La sua proprietà passò di mano diverse volte fino a che, nel 1638, la popolazione del borgo, stanca di questa situazione, decise autonomamente di porsi sotto la guida del Granducato di Toscana.
Posizione
Il castello di Monti è situato sulla sponda destra del torrente Taverone, su una collina ai piedi della quale sorgeva l'antico insediamento di Venelia con la sua Pieve di Santa Maria di Venelia.

Il castello e la Pieve hanno avuto origine nel luogo dove si incrociavano la strada proveniente da Lucca, attraverso il passo di Tea, e la "strata Lizane" che collegava i territori d'oltre Appennino alla media Val di Magra.

Funzione strategica
Il castello nasce, tra la fine dell'XI e l'inizio del XII secolo, come struttura militare degli Estensi i quali, vista la loro positiva situazione militare e politica nell'oltregiogo emiliano, miravano ad ottenere il controllo anche del versante lunigianese. Il castello infatti costituiva uno dei numerosi sbarramenti sulla strada che dall'Emilia giungeva al mare, ed anche su quella che dalla valle del Serchio, risalendo la Magra e, attraverso il passo del Brattello, rendeva possibile raggiungere i centri di Veleia (o Velleia) e Piacenza.

Castello di Monti

Il castello di Bastia è una fortificazione con caratteristiche architettoniche rinascimentali che si trova a Licciana Nardi, in provincia di Massa Carrara, nella zona della Lunigiana.
La fortezza, che per la possente struttura ebbe la fama di "castello inespugnabile", si erge su di una collina nella valle del fiume Teverone e risale al XIII secolo.
Il toponimo, dal francese Batir (costruire), è adoperato per indicare un'opera fortificata che veniva costruita rapidamente per rimediare a qualche cedimento nel sistema difensivo di un castello, di una cinta muraria, nella difesa di un borgo o di una città.
La storia
La Bastia fu compresa negli impegni che Francesco d'Olivola prese nei riguardi dei marchesi Malaspina di Villafranca nel 1294 e nel 1307.
Nel 1416 venne occupata dai genovesi per vendicare l'omicidio del provicario genovese della Spezia Oderico Biassa per mano dei marchesi di Villafranca per poi ritornare in possesso di questi ultimi nel 1423.
Durante la guerra dal 1424 al 1428 fra il comune di Firenze e il duca di Milano Filippo Maria Visconti fu presidiata dai fiorentini con l'intento di bloccare probabili infiltrazioni in Lunigiana delle truppe milanesi attraverso gli appennini.

Nel Cinquecento Bastia rientrò nella formazione del marchesato di Monti sotto Giovanni Spinetta. È probabile che questo avvenimento e soprattutto la diffusione delle armi da fuoco siano stati la causa di quei rinnovamenti strutturali che poco dopo diedero a Bastia la fama di "castello inespugnabile". Alla morte di Spinetta nel 1535 la Bastia fu divisa tra i suoi figli e divenne feudo indipendente con Fioramonte II, la cui dinastia continuò fino al 1783. Questi secoli di governo furono caratterizzati da brutte vicende dovute a lotte di successione, soprusi dei marchesi e ribellioni. In particolare nella prima metà del XVII secolo il fratello del marchese Carlo, Nestore, compì numerosi crimini causando una sollevazione popolare tanto che intervenne il Granduca di Toscana per ristabilire l'ordine. Le sommosse e gli omicidi però continuarono fino all'uccisione di Nestore da parte dei ribelli.

Oltre alle tormentate vicende interne, che hanno accompagnato il succedersi della dinastia di Bastia, occorre ricordare un aneddoto dell'ultima marchesa Annetta Malaspina sposata al marchese di Mulazzo Giovanni Malaspina. Questa donna era dotata di una invidiabile bellezza tanto da essere celebrata da poeti come Vincenzo Monti ed Innocenzo Frugoni e al centro delle attenzioni della corte di Parma. Dietro la spinta del gesuita parmense Bettinelli tentò un'azione diplomatica a favore dei gesuiti francesi e fu mandata alla corte di Francia per conquistare l'amore di Luigi XV e soppiantare la marchesa di Pompadour. Considerato il fascino ma anche la fama di donna di talento la "conquista" doveva essere cosa facile ma per motivi non del tutto chiari il tentativo fallì e la marchesa tornò in patria solo con un modesta pensione della corte francese.

La struttura oggi
Licciana Nardi-castello della bastia6.jpg
Oggi il castello è posseduto da privati ed è ancora perfettamente conservato. Ha pianta trapezoidale con quattro torri angolari cilindriche unite da una cortina muraria con cammino di ronda ricollegabili a una costruzione postmedievale. Risulta difficile invece riconoscere con esattezza l'epoca del mastio centrale all'interno delle mura che, in seguito a una ristrutturazione, ha perso i tratti probabilmente medievali.

Castello di Bastia

Madrignano castle is on the Apennine ridge between Liguria and Tuscany, on the mountains that surround Val di Vara, in the Municipality of Calice al Cornoviglio.
It is extraordinary historical evidence of events from the Middle Ages in this part of Liguria, and is part of the large and complex system of historical elements that characterize the territory of La Spezia:  castles, towers, defensive systems and buildings that outline the contour of Spezia province, from Lerici to Sarzana, from Madrignano to the even more ancient structures of Zignago.

The historical traces in this area are not limited to those magnificent ones from the Middle Ages: there are many signs of the ancient Ligurian people, in fact more than in any other place in the region, those people who populated these lands, especially the hinterland, before the arrival of the Roman troops.

Val di Vara in particular, in contrast with the magnificence of the remains of the Roman coastal colony of Luni, is the place where the living areas of the Ligurian population are still preserved. It is the ancient “popolo del Cigno” (Swan People), who left an important trace with the necropolis of Genicciola, proof not only of the sepulchral uses, but also of the everyday life of these people from ancient Liguria. 

http://www.liguriaheritage.it

Madrignano castle

Corniglio is located on a promontory that dominates the valleys of the Parma and Bratica rivers. I'ts a wide territory with many little villages scattered around, rich with mountains and lakes, that lies in the Regional Cento laghi park and in the National Tosco Emiliano park.
In the center of Corniglio there is the castle built in 1221 that was property of the Rossi and Farnese families, given to the Municipality in the yeawr 1820.
The castle hosts now the offices of the Municipality and a beautiful Hostel, built in the year 2000, that is an attraction for tourists.
In front of the castle there is the little temple of SS. Lucio and Amanzio that is a war memorial. Via Roma is the most caracteristic place in Corniglio, with stone sculpted portals and the centuries old roman bridge.

http://turismo.comune.parma.it