Malaspina

The Malaspina were a noble house whose branches held small fiefs in northern Italy. In 1337 the Spino Fiorito branch held castles in Lunigiana.

Spinetta Malaspina, called the Great, acquired Fosdinovo in 1340. The Fosdinovo line was recognized as hereditary imperial vicar in 1529, but its last sovereign marquis renounced his fiefs under Napoleon’s edict of 1797.