One day in Massa

The 15th-century fortress overlooks the city from atop a hill, reached by way of via della Rocca. The castle and its complex make up the old city, inside the medieval defense walls, which was the centre of life in the Middle Ages. To the right of the fortress, you can find the Church of San Rocco, home to a wooden crucifix made by a young Michelangelo.

The piazza, situated in the city centre, was expanded during the rule of Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister and Grand Duchess of the area in 1809. At the centre of the piazza, you’ll find a marble obelisk supported by four statue-fountains depicting lions.

The Renaissance palace is located in piazza degli Aranci and is also known as Palazzo Rosso. It dominates the piazza and is currently home to the city’s Provincial Administration.

The museum can be found in via Alberica, in one of the best-known historic palaces in Massa, the so-called Palazzino dei Cadetti. It was built at the end of the 16th century by Alberico I Cybo Malaspina, and until 1970, it was used as the bishop’s headquarters. It’s home to works by great artists, like Jacopo della Quercia.

Construction on the cathedral began in the 1500s and was carried out at the Convent of San Francesco. It isn’t clear whether the church was built at the same time as the convent or whether it was constructed beforehand atop the ruins of a pre-existing building. It’s believed by some that the church was consecrated in 1389, which would make it the oldest church in Massa. Its façade, on the other hand, was finished much later, in 1936.

The piazza is located on the south side of Palazzo Ducale. Built in 1574 to be the city’s commercial centre, its name comes from the statue-fountain in the piazza depicting the Pagan god, known to protect traded goods.

The building was constructed in 1880 as a courtly theatre and its named after Alessandro Guglielmi, a musician from Massa.

There are loads of things to see around Massa as well, including:

This famous seaside resort flanked by the coast and the Apuan Alps has become a popular tourist spot thanks to its perfect location between the sea and the mountains. A large avenue running along the coast connects Marina di Massa to Viareggio, and a bike path links Marina di Massa to Forte dei Marmi. The pier is the best place for a picturesque walk as you enjoy the surrounding mountains and sea. During the summer, this is where boats leave for trips to nearby Liguria.

The San Carlo hot springs are known for its thermal waters, which are particularly effective for treating renal conditions. It also boasts a remarkable panoramic terrace with breath-taking views of the Apuan Alps and the Versilia coast.

The park stretches throughout the municipalities of Fivizzano, Filattiera, Comano and Licciana Nardi, home to 22,000 hectares of beech and chestnut woods.

The villages of Pariana and Altagnana are on the same road to San Carlo Terme, both boasting a typical medieval layout and sitting atop rocky outcrops that overlook the Frigido valley.