The Castle of Tresana, a typical Lunigiana manor, has a rich history of transformation. The original quadrangular tower, dating back to the year 1000, was enlarged over the centuries with the addition of a large circular tower. In 1565, Emperor Maximilian II granted Guglielmo Malaspina the investiture, making Tresana an independent fief.
The fief had the rare privilege of minting coins, but in 1588 the Tresana Mint was involved in falsifications, causing excommunication by Pope Clement VIII. A turbulent period saw the population against the Malaspina, with the killing of Marquis Iacopo in 1650. Occupied by the Spanish in 1660, it was sold first to the Corsini princes and then to the French in 1797. After the Congress of Vienna, he returned to the Corsini princes, and finally Luigi Rossi was sold in 1856.
Until not many years ago, the castle was in precarious conditions. Fortunately, in 2009 the "Defendente Maneschi Foundation" became the owner, bringing it back to its ancient splendor and making it accessible by appointment. At the foot of the fortress, the building once used as a guest house for pilgrims along the Via Francigena is now the "Castello di Tresana bed and breakfast", open all year round. Guests have free access to the castle’s striking outdoor spaces, offering a unique experience in a restored historic setting.
