The castle of Malgrate had originally only defensive functions, dominating the valley of the river Bagnone, with its characteristic round tower, in control of the roads coming from the Cisa Pass, the Appennines and the Garfagnana.
In XIII the century, after the division between the Spino Secco and the Spino Fiorito, the Malaspina of Filattiera decided to erect the first nucleus of the castle. When it became independet in 1351, the castle was reinforced with fortification and trenches.
In 1641 the settlement passed to the Marquises Ariberti of Cremona and the fortress was transformed into a fortified residence. After the end of the feudalism, the castle was abandoned and then restaureted.
The castle mantains its typical medieval aspect, with a trapezoidal shaped walled curtain with guelphs crenellation, loopholes, leaning turrets, wall walk and tower keep still gifted with machicoulis. Flanking the western side of the castle walls it opens the gate of the village, that leads into the square.

More information:
I castelli di Villafranca