Like many other castles in Lunigiana, the castle of Malgrate belonged to the Malaspina family from the 13th century to 1615, when it was ceded to the Spanish governor of Pontremoli.

The castle stands in strategic position on a hill that dominates the valley of the Bagnone river and, together with other castles in the area, formed a defensive line that protected the territories of the Malaspinas.

In origin the castle was a purely defensive structure, but when it passed in the hands of the governor of Pontremoli in 1615 and with its subsequent transfer to the marquis Ariberti of Cremona in 1641, it became an aristocratic residence. Indeed, the new owners transformed the central body in a palace incorporating the tall round tower.

Notwithstanding, Malgrate has maintained the aspect of a medieval fortress, with town walls crowned with flat-top merlons, angular turrets, parapet walk and donjon.