Il Malaspina Castle is one of the most attractive places in fosdinovo, in the province of Massa-Carrara, in the splendid Toscana. It is one of those places not to be missed on a long tour of this beautiful region. A must for fans of myths and legends for the ghost of Bianca Malaspina and the mysterious bed she breathes.
Built in the second half of the 4th century, it boasts a structure typical of medieval Tuscan castles. It is characterized by 1300 round towers, walkways, arcades and splendid gardens. Once protected by a moat and a drawbridge. The Malaspina family still owns it today but it was not they who built the imposing structure. The sale took place in fact in XNUMX. However, the Castle is now a museum and no one has lived there for a long time.
It is said that too Dante Alighieri was a guest of the Malaspina Castle. This would have happened during his exile. As evidence of this illustrious guest there are frescoes that portray him with some members of the owner family. The latter even finds space in the Divine Comedy, in Canto VIII of Purgatory.
The story of Bianca Malaspina
One of the most evocative rooms of the Malaspina Castle in Fosdinovo is undoubtedly the bedroom of Bianca Malaspina, within which it is still possible to "feel" his deep pain. Lived around the middle of the XNUMXth century, she was destined to marry a gentleman of noble birth. She, however, fell madly in love with the stable boy of the castle. A shame that his family was not at all willing to accept, trying everything to keep them away.
Bianca was sent to a convent near the Malaspina Castle, but this failed to keep the two lovers away. The legend gets confused at this point, drawing two lines. There are those who claim that she became pregnant and those who claim that she refused to take vows. The result, however, was the same: she was removed from the convent and sent back by her parents.
The alternative found by the father was much more bloody. The stable boy was killed and Bianca locked up in the dungeons of the castle, walled up alive with two animals. The first was a wild boar, a symbol of rebellion against the family. The second, however, was a dog, a symbol of his faithful love.
The bed that breathes
The tour of the Castle leads to Bianca Malaspina's rooms. Many claim to have heard somewhat strange things. Moving his ear to the pillow that belonged to the young woman a slight heartbeat would be heard, coupled with labored breathing. A suggestion arising from the dramatic story that took place shortly before the visit or paranormal elements to say the least creepy. A real test of courage for visitors, who claim to hear a different version of heartbeat and breath, depending on the person.
Sleeping in the Malaspina Castle
In addition to the chance to visit this spectacular Tuscan castle, it is also possible sleep inside the sumptuous Malaspina residence. It is not the only structure of its kind to guarantee this possibility in Tuscany but, without a doubt, it is among the most suggestive. Some rooms are used as hotels and it is easy to identify offers and rates online, perhaps using the many aggregators. You can opt for a simple double room, one with an external private bathroom and, why not, a period suite.
Source photograph in evidence: Castello Malaspina - Fosdinovo - Source: Davide Papalini CC BY-SA 3.0
