Fortezza della Verrucola

Verrucola, Italy

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Fortezza della Verrucola, also known as Verrucole Castle, is a well-preserved medieval fortress located near Fivizzano in the Garfagnana region of Tuscany, Italy. Dating back to between the 10th and 13th centuries, it was originally built by the Gherardinghi family as a strategic stronghold to control key mountain passes and trade routes toward the Po Valley.

The fortress features multiple layers of defensive walls, three large halls supported by an octagonal column, a square keep, a large rectangular tower, and an adjoining military church with stone-arched loggias. Over centuries, it was contested by various noble families, including the Bosi, Malaspina, Este, and involved in battles linked to expanding powers such as the Republic of Florence.

The fortress underwent Renaissance fortification and later fell into decline until it was restored in the late 20th century by sculptor Pietro Cascella and is now a museum and cultural heritage site showcasing medieval life, military architecture, and historical reconstructions accessible to the public.

It stands as one of the most important and impressive medieval monuments in Lunigiana, embodying the region’s feudal history and strategic significance.