High medieval village, justice captaincy of the Republic of Florence in Lunigiana
The village of Castiglione del Terziere is located on the hills that separate Bagnone from Villafranca in Lunigiana. In fact, it can be reached either from Bagnone or from the road that connects Villafranca with Monti di Licciana.
Situated in a strategic connecting point since the early Middle Ages, it was originally known as Borgo dei Corbellari, named after the family that owned the land. In the 13th century, it became known as Castiglione del Terziere, as it represented a third of the holdings of the fief left by Obizzino Malaspina of the Spino Fiorito branch to his descendants.
After about 250 years under Malaspina rule, in 1451 it came under the control of the Republic of Florence, becoming a key center of Florentine expansionist policy in upper Lunigiana and serving as the seat of the Justice Captaincy of the Florentine Republic.
Today, it is one of the best-preserved High Medieval villages in Lunigiana, thanks in part to the presence of the Castle of Castiglione del Terziere, which was purchased in 1969 by philanthropist and scholar Loris Jacopo Bononi. He restored the castle and turned its magnificent library into one of the world’s most extensive collections of texts on Lunigiana.
How to Reach the village of Castiglione del Terziere
From Villafranca in Lunigiana, follow the signs for Monti di Licciana. Continue along the road for about 5 km, until you see a sign on your left indicating the village of Castiglione del Terziere.
Nearby you can find
Castiglione del Terziere Castle, the Village of Bagnone , Bagnone Castle, Memorial Archive Museum, Corlaga Castle, Pozze di Corlaga, Bozzi di Vico Valle, Bozzi di Treschietto, Cascata del Torrente Acquetta, Anguillara, Conca del Merizzo, Ethnographical Museum of Lunigiana, Malgrate Castle.
