Tour in Viareggio: Castello Malaspina and Cittadella del Carnevale
Our tour begins in Fosdinovo, a medieval hamlet where the Castello Malaspina is located; its construction began in the second half of the 12th century, and it was handed over by the Nobles in Fosdinovo to Spinetta Malaspina in 1340.
In the 16th century, thanks to the work of Gabriele and then Lorenzo Malaspina, the castle acquired the looks and size of a Renaissance Court, while in the 17th century, Jacopo Malaspina expanded it further, until, in 1636, it had 800 fireplaces.
The entrance hall, dining hall, with its large eighteenth-century fireplace and ceramics from the seventeenth century workshop, the throne room, the great hall, with its neighbouring salons, and the trapdoor room with the torture chambers underneath are of particular significance. Trapdoors were a prerogative of castles at the time.
In the Eastern Tower, there is a room called “Dante’s Chamber”, where the famous poet spent a night during his period in exile.
Our tour continues, from the past with knights and damsels to the present, with its merry and colourful carnival.
Cittadella del Carnevale in Viareggio is the place where the most famous floats in the world come from. The majestic structure in elliptical form, by the architect Francesco Tomassi, was inaugurated in 2001 and is located right on the outskirts of the town. Here, the papier-mâché wizards create the large models used each year in the masked parade along the beautiful seafront, part of one of the most suggestive spectacles one can see anywhere.
We will also visit the papier-mâché museum, where the models of the winning floats from latter years are on display with many other items of significance. The museum provides an overview of the history of the Viareggio Carnival, in an entertaining and colourful atmosphere which reproduces the traditional carnival atmosphere.
- Free visit
- Approximate times: departure by bus to Fosdinovo 14:00 / return to Hotel 18:00.
http://www.castellodifosdinovo.it/
http://www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/lingue_eng.php
This year, the participants in the Congress will again be invited to a prestigious social dinner, a delightful occasion to pass an evening in good company and relax. A pleasant time for everyone.