Massa is one of the two capitals of the province of Massa-Carrara in Tuscany. The city is located close to the coast, and has over 66,000 inhabitants. The main attractions are the Duomo, the Castello Malaspina and the beach.
Massa travel guide
Useful information
Tourist information: Lungomare Vespucci, 24 – 54100 Marina di Massa. Phone: +39 0585 240063.
Town hall: Via Porta Fabbrica, 1 – 54100 Massa. Phone: +39 0585 4901.
Railway station: Massa has its own train station.
Tourist attractions
One of the main attractions is the Castello Malaspina, with a museum and a view that stretches as far ast the coast.
Massa Cathedral, built in the 14th century, owes its present architecture to a 17th century facelift.
The Palazzo Cybo Malaspina was reconstructed in the early 16th century.
A brief history of Massa
Already in Roman times, there were settlements on the territory. However, not much is known about them.
From 882 until the second half of the 11th century, when the Obertenghi took over, Massa was a fief of the bishops of Luni.
In subsequent centuries, Lucca and Pisa fought for dominion over the city.
This lasted until 1442, when the Malaspina became lords of the city. The Malaspina took up residence in the castle, which was transformed into a mansion protected by defensive walls.
When a Malaspina family member married Duke Ercole d’Este, it was annexed to the Duchy of Modena. With a brief hiatus from 1806 to 1815, when it was a fief of Lucca, the d’Este remained proprietors of the city till 1859, when it became part of the KIngdom of Piedmont.
How to get to Massa by car
Massa is located along the Strada Statale SS.