ITALIAN VERSION<<

The fortress of Brunella is a splendid example of military architecture dating back to the first half of the sixteenth century. Built with the same brown volcanic rock that is the spur on which is arisen, the fortress forms at one with the hill, taking a suggestive aspect monolithic. Ensured by the four oblique to the summits of the plant quadrangular, mighty walls protected by a deep moat towards the mountains and by steep escarpments on the sides southern, was the first major military structure defensive and offensive built in Lunigiana internal, after the introduction of firearms, between 1470 and 1540.

In the course of centuries garrisons Italian, Spanish, German, Swiss and Austrian, were hosted in the fortress, in relation to the events that devastated Italy and Europe in that historical period. The only siege of the documentation is of 24 December 1733, where the Spanish troops landed at La Spezia stormed the fortress after three weeks of siege to damage on a garrison at the service of the feudal lords local.

At the beginning of the '900 the Fortress was restored by English family Waterfield, who transformed it in luxurious mansion by hosting many intellectuals, including the writer Lawrence. Since 1977 the Fortress was purchased by the State and allocated by the City of Aulla seat of the Natural History Museum of Lunigiana. Inside the park, which houses the fortress, a botanic tour guides you along paths easy practicable to the discovery of spontaneous species typical of the area with explanatory sheets of individuals essences encountered. Inside the Fortress a historical journey in stages it highlights the most significant architectural features and roof garden you will have wonderful views of the Lunigiana, the Appennines and the Apuan Alps.

The exhibition halls of the Museum of Natural History, remodeling in 1977, provide an innovative description of the landscape lunigianese through panels with significant iconography and enriched by artifacts: a different reading of a land with natural and environmental importance, which was transformed and diversified by man for millennia.

In addition to the service for group tours and school groups by appointment, the Cooperative Natour –inside the park and the fortress- also carries out cultural, recreational and artistic activities, especially targeting young people and it offers learning modules on environmental education and guided tours nature.

INFO
Tel:0187/409077 Cell:329/3424281
E-mail: coopnatour@libero.it