Brunella Fortress

The Brunella Fortress dominates the strategic village of Aulla from the top of a hill, located at the confluence of the Magra and Aulella rivers and crossed by the Via Francigena. Its features correspond to a typical Renaissance defensive architecture, however, the original core probably dates back to the 13th century, and there are still many hypotheses regarding the changes made.

Among the principals of the construction are mentioned Jacopo Ambrogio Malaspina, Lord of Aulla in the late 15th century, as well as the famous Giovanni delle Bande Nere, who settled in Aulla in the first quarter of the 16th century, and who would have entrusted the project to Antonio da Sangallo the Elder. What is certain is that the complex represents the most mighty military work in Lunigiana, and its strategic location allowed it, in the past, to control all the main routes in the area and the origins from the Apennine passes.

Around 1860, the fortress was sold to private individuals and then resold in 1920 to the English Waterfield family, which used it as a residence. After its acquisition by the Italian state in 1977, the Brunella fortress was renovated and entrusted to the municipality of Aulla.

The fortress now houses the Lunigiana Natural History Museum which tells the history and transformations undergone by the area.