Mulazzo, the village that hosted Dante in exile

The name Mulazzo derives from the Latin Munatius, meaning “land of Munatius.” It was an imperial fief of the Malaspina marquises from 1164, belonging to the Ghibelline branch known as “dello Spino Secco.” Mulazzo hosted Dante Alighieri in 1306, as described in Canto VIII of the Purgatorio, during his exile from Florence. The small state, autonomous from 1550, remained sovereign until 1797, governed by the two Malaspina lines: Malaspina del Castello and Malaspina del Palazzo.

In the 18th century, Mulazzo underwent territorial changes with the acquisition of the marquisates of Calice, Madrignano, Veppo, Castevoli, and Castagnetoli. The abolition of the fiefs in 1797 marked the end of its sovereign status. In the 19th century, the villages were unified and passed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Today, Mulazzo is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy and is also known for the Premio Bancarella, established in 1953 under Dante’s Tower, a major event in contemporary literature.

Places of interest in Mulazzo

In Mulazzo, an ancient village of Lunigiana, visitors can admire fascinating historical and cultural landmarks. The Church of San Martino (1297) preserves the evocative Maestà depicting Saint Martin sharing his cloak with a poor man. At the heart of the village rises Dante’s Tower (11th century), the only hexagonal tower in Lunigiana.

Along the Via Dantis, nine marble stations from Carrara illustrate the Divine Comedy. The Malaspina Archive Museum preserves over 9,000 books and 30,000 documents. Also worth visiting are the Malaspina Little Theatre, the Dante Studies Center – Dante’s House Museum, and the Old Washhouse, a collective memory of the village.

Traditions, events, and local specialties

In Mulazzo, events combine tradition and culture. Bancarel’vino celebrates food and wine with a competition among wineries, tastings, and typical dishes. The Town Hall hosts readings and meetings dedicated to history and local dialect, with show cooking. From January to March, the Malaspina Cineforum offers films with debates. Every summer, the Montereggio Book Festival attracts writers and journalists to the “village of booksellers.” The evocative Bonfire of Saint Anthony is a winter rite linked to the saint, protector of farmers.

Local specialties include Testarolo, a wood-fired pasta cooked in cast-iron pans and a Slow Food product, and the humble yet delicious Torta d’erbi, a savory pie made with wild greens.

Attractions around Mulazzo

Nearby attractions include Pontremoli, with the Piagnaro Castle and the Museum of Stele Statues, and Filattiera, rich in historical and religious heritage. The walled village of Bagnone, with its castle and medieval bridge, and the evocative Malgrate, dominated by its tower, are also worth a visit.

Nature lovers can enjoy excursions among the peaks of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and along the Via Francigena, which passes through Mulazzo and connects Groppoli with the Castle of Lusuolo. Also worth visiting are Villastrada, with the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte, and Castagnetoli, known for its stone alleys.

Did you know about this village’s connection with the Supreme Poet? To learn more, set out to discover Mulazzo!

photo credits Claudio Giovanni Colombo