Tourist information on Massa, Italy

Massa is a town in the Tucany region of northwest Italy, the capital of the province of Massa-Carrara. It lies in the Frigido River Valley, amid the Apuan hills, 5 km from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Although the area is best known as a centre of marble production, it is also very popular with tourists. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Massa was the capital of an independent principality, governed by the Malaspina family, but became part of a united Italy in 1859. Located in one of the most picturesque regions of Italy, Massa is a charming town and has several historic monuments of interest.

The Piazza Aranci lies at the heart of the historic city centre, so-named because of the rows of orange trees that border it on three sides. The square is dominated by the magnificent Palazzo Ducale, which dates back the mid-16th century. The chapel, richly adorned with paintings by notable Carrara artists, was designed by Francesco Bergamini, as were the internal portico and upper loggia. Once the residence of the ruling Cybo-Malaspina family, it now serves as the prefecture and provincial offices.

Heading north-eastwards from the Piazza Aranci, up the Via Dante Alighieri, we come to Massa's other main landmark, the Duomo di Massa (Chiesa Cattedrale SS. Pietro e Francesco). An impressive 14th century cathedral, this is believed to be the oldest church in Massa. Its interior houses nine marbled altars and several priceless works of art, including paintings of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity. The vault contains the tombs and chapel of the Cybo-Malaspina family. The façade was added in the mid-1930s. Another church of interest is the Chiesa della Madonna del Carmine, part of a 16th century monastic complex founded by the Marchesa Taddea Malaspina; it contains some notable paintings of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Massa's principal museum is the Carrara Marble Museum, which explains the processes by which marble is extracted and processed. Another interesting museum is the Museo Etnologico delle Alpi Apuane (Ethnology Museum), housed in the Santuario degli Oliveti. This has a large collection of exhibits that trace the history of the region through its people and culture. Castello Malaspina (Malaspina Castle) is a well-preserved fortress that originated in the 11th century but was extended in the 15th century to accommodate the Malaspina family. Situated to the southeast, just outside the city centre, its ramparts offer some stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape. Also worth visiting is the Orto Botanico delle Alpi Apuane, an attractive mountain botanical garden.