Lunigiana is littered with impressive castle-like towers which rear out of the mountainous landscape, clinging on in the most precarious positions. The example shown here is at Massa, not too far from the very famous fortified town of Lucca. They are collectively known as Malaspina Towers.
They were built by the Malaspina family.
This dynasty of high achievers first rose to power in the 13th century and governed their feudal estates for nearly five centuries.
The Malaspina name is said to have been coined in AD 540. The story goes that a young noble used a thorn to avenge the death of his father by slashing the throat of the King of the Franks. the King is reckoned to have gasped “Ah! Mala Spina”. Which is the Italian for bad thorn.
This may or may not be true. But they’ve developed a very striking family coat of arms from the story.
Other legends are available.