Castle dell'Aquila
Castle dell'Aquila
4.5
About
A medieval castle set in the heart of Lunigiana (Tuscany), once a feud of the Malaspina family. Declared national monument by decree of historical cultural heritage, is also a venue that offers the possibility of overnight stay and dine, tasting the traditional menu of the territory.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
119 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
17
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
1
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Annalisa V
Latina, Italy32 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Beautiful location. Ancient but well maintained. I would first recommend a sign that helps the customer to find his way: from the parking lot how to reach reception for example. A map in each room with simple indications on wi fi, breakfast times, swimming pool and paths within the estate. Having recently opened I imagine they will provide such small but important improvements. That said I Recommendation this stay to those who are passionate about history, nature, tranquility and relaxation. A special thanks to Rita and Cristina who did everything to meet us and to make up for the temporary lack of staff. One prayer to the owners: remove the statues of the tiger and elephant from the garden. Truly dissonant elements for a beautiful castle like this!
Automatically translated
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChangeGuru
Marsden, UK244 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
In the middle of nowhere (well, the village of Gragnola in the Fivizzano district of Italy) perched high atop an incredible hill surrounded by dense natural forest sits an incredible fortress type restored castle. What a find! An absolute gem. Treat it like your home, says Andrea Facchinato, the resident custodial manager. Your home? As if owning a castle feels normal...
It’s a delight... 9 bedrooms with en suite facilities complete this property along with battlements, rooftop hideaways, it’s own church, halls and lounges. The food? Local produce, magnificently served. It’s the kind of place a Hollywood celebrity would rent out in its entirety and have a few friends over. Without the Hollywood pricing! The rooms, peak season, are no more expensive than an average London hotel. The food isn’t cheap, but is sensational and therefore considering it’s quality, the setting and the service... it’s absolutely priced fairly and appropriately. We loved it. There’s a 14th century buried Knight, inscriptions on the walls and a castle tour which is absorbing...
It felt like, dare I say it...we owned a castle...
We stayed one night, on a scheduled travel trip around the region, and should have stayed a week. It’s that good. Best tip? Pack very light. You don’t want to drag your heavy case to the top of your private turret. Yes: you read that right.
It’s a delight... 9 bedrooms with en suite facilities complete this property along with battlements, rooftop hideaways, it’s own church, halls and lounges. The food? Local produce, magnificently served. It’s the kind of place a Hollywood celebrity would rent out in its entirety and have a few friends over. Without the Hollywood pricing! The rooms, peak season, are no more expensive than an average London hotel. The food isn’t cheap, but is sensational and therefore considering it’s quality, the setting and the service... it’s absolutely priced fairly and appropriately. We loved it. There’s a 14th century buried Knight, inscriptions on the walls and a castle tour which is absorbing...
It felt like, dare I say it...we owned a castle...
We stayed one night, on a scheduled travel trip around the region, and should have stayed a week. It’s that good. Best tip? Pack very light. You don’t want to drag your heavy case to the top of your private turret. Yes: you read that right.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SilviaSx
Barcelona, Spain62 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Thanks Gabriela for a fanstastic tour! The castle is absolutely beautiful and full of history, it is renovated but the essence remains.
Written 16 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilisa C
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Very bad
Experience.
We come from Reggio Emilia and Book and PAY in advance guided tour at 5 pm plus paid parking
La
Guide without any kind of education And respect continues to take its courses leaving people who like us had booked and paid to wait in the courtyard of the castle between various complaints
At the entrance we ask for explanations from a “subject” not well identified, who does not know how to give any kind of explanation regarding the Guide delay.
Total disorganization inside, closed restaurant, no kind of bar or refreshment point although the castle is in a point not easy to reach and we are in the middle of summer.
Rude staff.
Basically we spent 25
Euro and we did not do any guided tour
We toured all over Italy and visited hundreds of castles and ancient mansions but I had never found myself such a terrible place
I think places like this should be run by trained and much more qualified staff.
Nightmare experience.
Not recommended
Experience.
We come from Reggio Emilia and Book and PAY in advance guided tour at 5 pm plus paid parking
La
Guide without any kind of education And respect continues to take its courses leaving people who like us had booked and paid to wait in the courtyard of the castle between various complaints
At the entrance we ask for explanations from a “subject” not well identified, who does not know how to give any kind of explanation regarding the Guide delay.
Total disorganization inside, closed restaurant, no kind of bar or refreshment point although the castle is in a point not easy to reach and we are in the middle of summer.
Rude staff.
Basically we spent 25
Euro and we did not do any guided tour
We toured all over Italy and visited hundreds of castles and ancient mansions but I had never found myself such a terrible place
I think places like this should be run by trained and much more qualified staff.
Nightmare experience.
Not recommended
Automatically translated
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Motorninja
Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands37 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We went for a show with eagles, owls etc... Got a tour of the castle and they organized a small food tasting with regional cheeses and meat... And wine of course. It was lovely and the castle tour guide knew his castle's history perfectly. We will be sure to return again, also for the great overall view on the roof of the castle!
Written 9 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CZProf
Eugene, OR13 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
A hard place to find with a bumpy unpaved road up to the castle - you wouldn't want it any other way. My wife and I spent three nights there (not enough) and it was, without a doubt, our favorite accommodation in all of Italy. Drop dead beautiful location an hour from the Cinque Terre; haunting, medieval history of slain knights and royalty; gracious attention to detail and guests' needs, and artfully prepared local cuisine by Andrea. We would return in a heartbeat.
Written 17 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gallio182
Woodland Park, CO470 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Yes, the drive up to the castle is narrow, and in spots unpaved, but it's a hilltop castle. We were rewarded for the drive with a one hour plus private tour of an amazing structure. This has been a 'labor of love' for one woman for the passed 19 years (at age 75 she says this may be her last). The explanation of the 700-year-old skeleton uncovered by workers was amazing. A messenger (based on leg structure), from the north (based on size), murdered (based on hasty burial) with an arrow to the mouth (based on the arrow still being in place), was incredible.
The view from the ramparts of the castle are the best we've seen in this region. It is secluded, it is hard to get to, it does cost 5 Euro, but it is well worth it if you have any interest in history at all. It feels like you can hear the 'ancient ones' whisper as you turn each corner. In my opinion this is an 'undiscovered' attraction that's been painstakingly restored from near ruble, in an 'under visited' area of Tuscany.
The view from the ramparts of the castle are the best we've seen in this region. It is secluded, it is hard to get to, it does cost 5 Euro, but it is well worth it if you have any interest in history at all. It feels like you can hear the 'ancient ones' whisper as you turn each corner. In my opinion this is an 'undiscovered' attraction that's been painstakingly restored from near ruble, in an 'under visited' area of Tuscany.
Written 17 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian B
Gisborne, Australia76 contributions
May 2016
Once arrived in the small town, the signage to the castle is very poor and the road was overgrown with grass, at first we didn't think we were on the right track but we stopped and asked for directions.
The castle is amazing and the work that the host has done is very good and a credit to her. She does speak enough English to get by. The tour is very informing and interesting. However there is very little food and the breakfast is non existent, if she did a simple cooked breakfast it would have been great. If going take some snacks...
The castle is amazing and the work that the host has done is very good and a credit to her. She does speak enough English to get by. The tour is very informing and interesting. However there is very little food and the breakfast is non existent, if she did a simple cooked breakfast it would have been great. If going take some snacks...
Written 26 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth L
Sydney, Australia22 contributions
Apr 2012 • Friends
My husband and I stayed at the Castle with Gabriella. What an amazing place, the rooms are fantastic and we enjoyed an evening meal with Gabriella and Merion. Travelling to Gragnola in June this year and will be staying at the Castle again only for a few more nights this time. Cannot express what a wonderful experience it was to stay at the Castle and what a gracious host Gabriella is. I am glad to read that Luni (the dog) is still at the castle too.
Written 11 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliusal
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia1 contribution
Apr 2012
I went to Castello dell'Aquila with a friend from the States last April, before I was there 30 years ago visiting the old remains of the Castle. Gabriella, the owner, did a great work and made an excellent "New Castle" with guest rooms! Go there to visit and stay for a week end to enjoy and spend some days in the Past centuties
Written 1 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lalagbala
Chicago, Illinois
Is there a taxi or shuttle that can pick up guests at the castle to take them to the train? I'm wondering how to get from the castle to the train station once I check out of the castle. Thanks.
Written 27 July 2017
Ciao macerio, volevo sapere se la visita del castello fosse a pagamento e necessita di prenotazione.. e nel caso della prenotazione è necessario un numero minimo? grazie milleeee
Written 28 July 2015
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