Massa e Cozzile

Entering the city walls of Massa means delving into the Middle Ages. Like many Tuscan settlements dating back to the Middle Ages, the town is walled, guarded by towers and accessed via ancient gates, with a fortress pinpointing the highest position.

Leading into the southern part of the town is the 14ᵗʰ-century “Porta ai Campi.” A little further on, you reach Piazza Cavour, overlooked by the Romanesque Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta, rebuilt in the 17ᵗʰ century alongside a wing of the imposing Monastero della Visitazione which, founded in 1683 as a women’s conservatory, was transformed into a monastery in 1714 at the initiative of Grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici.

Alongside the Parish Church is the characteristic little church of the Monastery, decorated in 18ᵗʰ-century style.
From the piazza, set off along the main street of the village, lined with palaces and houses that fully demonstrate their medieval origin, until reaching Piazza Matteotti, the real heart of the Castello since its foundation. The northern side of the piazza is occupied by the Loggia del Podestà, on the walls of which noble coats of arms are displayed.

Overlooking this is a beautiful stately mansion housing the Historical Archives of the Municipality. From here, if you continue along the main road, climbing steeply and lined with increasingly older buildings, you reach the top of the village where, concealed by a thick olive grove, stand the remains of an ancient medieval fortress.

An ancient and scenic Roman road connects the two historic villages of Massa and Cozzile. From here, the road leads onto the main street with its castle, serving as the backbone of the village and penetrating two rows of houses of medieval origin. Worth visiting at the end of the main street is the Romanesque Church of San Iacopo Apostolo, rebuilt and enlarged during the 16ᵗʰ century.

Immediately behind the church is the grandiose building of the Palazzo de Gubernatis, which overlooks the valley from a panoramic position. Emerging from the new (relatively speaking!) gate, you come face-to-face with stunning vistas. The views sweep over the entire Valdinievole until, on the clearest days, reaching the dark silhouettes of the mountains of Elba Island.

One last deserving stop on the visit is the 15ᵗʰ-century Margine di Cozzile, a small jewel of minor ecclesiastical architecture just outside the town.

The Valdinievole area offers many hiking trails, perfect for walks and rides on horseback or bicycle to discover small hamlets, villages and castles.

Just a few miles from Massa e Cozzile is Montecatini Terme with its historic spas and the medieval village of Montecatini Alto, reachable by a funicular in full Art Nouveau style. 

The most famed product from this area is the Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva IGP Toscano (Tuscan Extra-Virgin Olive Oil PGI), obtained by pressing olives harvested from the trees of the Frantoio, Moraiolo and Leccino varieties. Bruschetta, soups or stews are never missing from among the local dishes on the menu, all enhanced by the exquisite taste of the olive oil. Along with the products of the land, the two localities serve as a stop on the Strada dell’Olio Borghi e Castelli della Valdinievole (Valdinievole Olive Oil, Villages and Castles Trail).