Malgrate: Castles, Cycling Routes and Waterfalls

Malgrate is a destination for travelers who want to experience Italian history in connection with the landscape and outdoor activities. The village brings together the former feudal seat with Castello di Malgrate, a route through medieval villages in the Bagnone Valley, and several castles, peaks, and waterfalls in the surrounding area and the wider region. In Malgrate, history, cycling, and landscape come together.

Historic Malgrate and the Castello

Malgrate was an old feudal seat with a castle and a high tower. The tower still controls access to the Bagnone Valley today. The central section of Castello di Malgrate was converted into a palace in 1641; the round tower was incorporated into it. The high tower belongs to the history of the feudal seat, while the palace conversion of 1641 represents a later construction phase of the complex.

Cycling routes through the Bagnone Valley

Two routes are particularly important for cyclists. The “Tour of medieval villages in the Bagnone valley” belongs to the Lunigiana Bike Area and is signposted as Route Number 20. The Ciclovia dei Castelli in Lunigiana also passes through the Bagnone Valley via Mocrone and Malgrate. The Church of San Lorenzo in Gragnana is part of the “Tour of medieval villages in the Bagnone valley” route.

Castles in the Nearby and Wider Area

Several castles in the surrounding area also form part of the region’s cultural landscape. Castello del Piagnaro is a castle near Malgrate. Castello di Madrignano and Castello Malaspina are castles in the wider region around Malgrate. Cardelli e Fontana arte contemporanea is a museum in the wider region around Malgrate. The museum focuses on a different theme from the castles and, like Castello di Madrignano and Castello Malaspina, is located in the wider regional area.

For those interested in culture, the view extends from Castello di Malgrate to the museum in the wider region around the village.

Peaks and Waterfalls

The landscape around Malgrate is complemented by other specific natural attractions. Monte Brusa and Monte Aquila are peaks near Malgrate. Cascata della colombaia and Piscio di Pracchiola are waterfalls near Malgrate. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between peaks and waterfalls and consider the natural attractions separately from the historic buildings.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Interests

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Malgrate, you can weigh these priorities against one another: castles and architectural history, the signposted Route Number 20, the Ciclovia dei Castelli in Lunigiana, or the peaks and waterfalls. Your choice of location can therefore be guided by the interests you want to explore in greater depth during your trip.

Other places: Filattiera, Aulla, Massa, Podenzana, Bagnone, Arpiola-pianturcano, Mulazzo, Caniparola

For the higher-level travel overview: Massa-Carrara.