The guided visit of the castle lasts more than an hour. The service is provided for both groups and for single visitors, following a telephone booking in order to open the access gates to the ancient fiefdom of the Malaspina Marquis and to the monument complex of Aquila Castle. The guide in charge of welcoming the visitors accompanies them first to visit the external late medieval fortifications: bastions, walls, echauguette, citadels.
The Rivellino in 1999 before restoration - Night view of restored Rivellino in 2005
The tour then takes visitors into the castle to visit the original Chapel of the Crucifix, a Catholic church that was reconsecrated to the Redeemen in June 2005 by the apostolic blessing of the Archbishop of Massa Carrara, above the door of the Chapel of the Crucifix it is possible to admire the last remaining fresco in the castle (the monument left to ruin also succumbed to a number of systematic plunders over decades: fireplaces, floorings, sculptures, stone works, everything was stolen before it was bought and restored by the present owner); the fresco dates from the 1600’s and has been completely restored. It depicts the Holy Cross; within the Chapel there are three large teleros produced by the contemporary painter Daniele Carletti portraying Jesus’ prayer on the Mount of Olives, the crucifixion of Christ, the placing of His body in the arms of the Madonna. Also noteworthy is the statue of Maria Egiziaca, the work of an unknown sculptor of the 1600’s and is another original and sacred rare object left in the castle; the image of a Nativity inscribed in sandstone is delightful, a gift from the Gragnola sculptor Carlo Dante Ceci to the reconsecrated chapel. Outside the church the visitor is surrounded by the panorama of the arms square, the sober majesty of the lodge on the main floor with its noteworthy portal upon which the coat of arms of the Malaspina family is displayed together with that of the Orsini family, to consolidate the marriage between Aurante Orsini, sister-in-law of Lorenzo de Medici (known as the Magnificent) - and the Marquis Leonardo Malaspina of Aquila Castle.
The chapel of the crucifix - The skeleton of the Knight of Gragnola in his tomb
Lifting one’s eyes upwards it is possible to appreciate the imposing outline of the guard tower that has been entirely reconstructed. From the arms square it is possible to access an underground room where visitors can see the most ancient foundations of the castle. The itinerary then proceeds to a visit of the living quarters on the ground floor and the tomb of the Gragnola Knight, a gentleman of the 1300’s who was killed by a crossbow arrow to the throat. The visit concludes at the top of the ancient tower, from the terrace of which it is possible to admire the beautiful view of Eastern Lunigiana and the highest peaks of the Apuan Alps, which form Aquila Castle’s inimitable panorama. The monument can be visited via email or web bookings or by telephone contact with the management of Aquila Castle.
