The village of Castevoli, tiny and intimate, stands on a spur overlooking the Mangiola valley. It is a place that seems made for silence and contemplation. Here, time seems to pass more slowly, and the castle, which stands in the center of the town, appears almost like a silent guardian of its history. It was one of the residences of the Malaspina family, who profoundly influenced the medieval history of Lunigiana. The castle of Castevoli, in particular, belonged to the “Spino Secco” branch of the family, which governed this part of the territory with a balance between authority and diplomacy.
Unlike other more austere fortifications, that of Castevoli is a castle that has a double soul in its appearance: on the one hand, the defensive function, evidenced by the towers, the walls and the elevated position; on the other, the residential soul, which can be perceived in the internal courtyards, in the covered passages, in the sculpted portals and in the remains of noble rooms that suggest a past of daily life, meetings, hospitality and culture.
Visiting it, you have the feeling of touching the traces of centuries of history. Some parts of the castle have been renovated today, others maintain a more rough and authentic charm, with walls covered in ivy and rooms that tell the story of the passing of time. From the patrol path or from some windows there is a splendid view of the valley, the deep green of the woods and the profiles of the hills, which change color with the seasons.
Castevoli was not only a place of defense or government, but also a point of passage and meeting. The castle was in fact located along ancient local communication routes, and even today, a dirt road for cycling and walking connects the village to Gavedo, another nearby Malaspina center. Walking or cycling along that path, it is easy to imagine wayfarers, knights and messengers who once came and went between the courts of the Malaspina, bringing news, goods and stories.
Translated by Google •
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