Lupinaia is a very old village indeed. While the village origins are believed to go back to the Iron Age, the first written records are from the Lombard period, precisely the year 754. Around the year 1000 it was a fief of the powerful Lombard family Gherardinghi. In 1171 it was set on fire in the context of disputes between Pisa and Lucca over the control of Garfagnana. The State of Lucca then carried out for many centuries its dominance over Lupinaia, apart from a few brief interruptions. In 1583 it was attacked, sacked and burned by the Este troops from Modena. Later in 1614 a lookout tower was built (the current bell tower). In 1616 the state of Lucca covered the expanses to have it completely surrounded by walls. In 1636 the castle was restorated and further strengthened.
With time passing these fortifications have suffered degradation and today they are only partially visible; the south gate is still preserved in good condition and provides us with indications about the power of the old wall and the importance of Lupinaia as a lookout over the valley below.
