Visit to the castle of Lusuolo

Lusuolo Castle is a military fortification that stands on the right bank of the Magra River controlling the Via Francigena, one of the main high medieval roads. The castle originally belonged to the Malaspina family of Spino Secco, but in 1450 it fell into the hands of the Genoese Campofregoso family, which partially demolished it.

The Marchesi Malaspina di Lusuolo, in the middle of the rivalries between Florence, Genoa and Milan fighting for Lunigiana area, gave the fief and lordship to the grand dukes of Tuscany. The castle was then expanded by the florentines in the early 1600s

The rooms of the castle currently host the Museum of the Emigration of the people of Tuscany, created in 2004 by the collaboration between the Emigration documentation Center, the Region of Tuscany, the Council of Tuscans abroad and the municipality of Mulazzo, with the aim of learning about and enhancing the phenomenon of Tuscan emigration in the world.

Inside the museum there is a  library, a conference room and a space for viewing or listening to audiovisuals. This is where the museum exhibit is developed, with the stories of those who had the need and desire to leave for foreign lands, enriched by objects and documents of the time and “animated” by the projection of video-documentaries with strong emotional involvement.

Notes:

• Visit procedure: access to the Castle is via guided tours that take place every 45 minutes. Reservations are not necessary
• Fees: 6 € adults / 3 € reduced (over 65, under 18, students or groups over 15) / free for children up to 5 years old, residents of Mulazzo, tour guides, disabled people and companions. Cost includes access to the castle with guided tour
• Combined ticket: €8 that includes guided tour of Lusuolo Castle, the Museum of the Emigration of the People of Tuscany, and free visit to the Museum Archives of the Malaspina family of Mulazzo
• The castle is Pet Friendly

It is possible to arrange the tour upon  request for individuals, families or small groups.