The original formation of this fortress would coincide with the construction of the church of Saint Nicolò . Built on a rocky mountain, the castle function was the control of the roads and the collection of the tolls along the Ferancigena Way, at the confluence of the Magra river and the Bagnone stream. Perhaps, because of this, it was called "Malnido" since the XII century.
Destroyed by the bombs of the Second World War and the construction of the railway line, the ruins of the castle are hidden from a deep vegetation.

More information:
The castles of Villafranca