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Massa - Palazzo Malaspina
The province of Massa-Carrara is situated on the border with Liguria and Emilia Romagna and is characterised by an extensive coastal area rich in tourist accommodation structures and modern bathing establishments.
A short distance from the sea, the Apuane Alps are a paradise for nature lovers and excursionists, both in summer and in winter, offering the possibility to stay in comfortable mountain huts.
The spectacular white marble caves in the heart of these mountains are unique in the world and reveal themselves as a lunar vision before the visistor's eyes: thus entering the mountain's heart. One can touch with hand the precious stony elements that artists like Michelangelo and Canova preferred.
Arriving from north we reach Lunigiana, embedded by two natural parks (Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilia Appennine). Lunigiana offers many interesting culinary itineraries and holidays in prestigious farm-holiday structures, engulfed among the green hills, among castles, romantic pievi and elegant towns like Pontremoli, Fivizzano and Aulla.
On the coast, Carrara, with its Cathedral entirely built out of marble and Massa, dominated by the Malaspina fortress. Both old town centres are ideal for walks during which one can admire the local art while shopping.
All this is just a few kilometres from the wide beaches on the Apuan Coast, an ideal continuation of Versilia with the areas of Cinquale di Montignoso, Poveromo, Ronchi, Marina di Massa and Marina di Carrara.
The first stop of any tour of the province must be Massa itself, nestled between green hills at the foot of the Apuane Alps.
Within the old town one finds the medieval part, made up of little, narrow, winding streets and the sixteenth century part, built by Cybo Malaspina, a lord of the city at that time. The Cathedral and the Palazzo Ducale of Cybo Malaspina (sixteenth - seventeenth century) are of particular interest.
Another centre of major historical and artistic interest is Carrara, known internationally as the city of marble, surrounded by the white frontline of the Apuane Alps where intense mining and stonework is carried out. As well as valuable monuments such as the Cathedral with its Romanesque-Gothic façade, the sixteenth century residence of Cybo Malaspina and the majestic Palazzo delle Logge, Carrara also offers the possibility of taking an interesting trip to learn more about marble by means of a visit to the Museo Civico del Marmo (marble museum) and artist’s workshops in the city. The tour must then continue outside the city for a visit to the impressive quarries, such as the Cava Museo di Fantiscritti. In the village of Campocecina you can admire the Parco della Memoria and the Cava dei Poeti, where phrases from famous people and poets were engraved into the walls for the 2002 Biennale.
Lunigiana offers a unique tour to discover enchanting villages, beginning with Fosdinovo which is dominated by a medieval castle. At Aulla the majestic Fortezza della Brunella can be visited. It was built at the beginning of the XIV century and takes its name from its distinctive colour; and there is also the Museo di Storia Naturale (natural history museum). Crossing the Passo del Cerreto you reach Fivizzano, with its ancient walls andcan visit the Museo della Stampa (print museum). Do not miss the parish Church of Sorano, near Filattiera, a treasured Romanesque monument with a striking apse, set in a pristine environment.
Pontremoli is found in high Lunigiana and has a notable artistic heritage, from the magnificent Castello del Piagnaro, which is home to the Museo delle Statue Stele (Statue Menhir museum), the Cathedral and the village’s characteristic alleys. Finally, nestled among luxuriant nature and dense woods lies Zeri, famous for its gastronomy, especially the typical Zerasco lamb.
This hilly and mountainous terrain provides a great opportunity to go on nature trails and strolls as well as practising sport activities such as horse trekking (especially along streams and the Magra), excursions by mountain bike amongst the beautiful scenery and fishing in the numerous waterways.
Skiing is also an option in Lunigiana, thanks to the Passo Due Santi ski resort in Zeri, from where you can enjoy a panorama that sweeps all the way to the sea.
Not far from the marble basins, Marina di Carrara and other seaside destinations are perfect for a relaxing holiday on the beach, where it is also possible to practice water sports and sailing.
The gourmands among us can follow various wine and food trails, through ancient villages and beautiful countryside, in search of typical produce and local wine.
The renowned Equi Terme and San Carlo Terme offer treatments based on their precious water.
The area proposes a varied calendar of events such as the Premio Bancarella in Pontremoli (July), the Premio Nazionale di Pittura on the theme of “Mare-Monti-Marmo” (sea-mountains-marble) and the “Mostra dell’artigianato del marmo e simposio internazionale di scultura”, an artisan show of marble and sculpture in Carrara. In August, in the spectacular setting of the marble quarries, there is a historic reenactment of the “lizzatura”, the ancient method by which miners transported the blocks of marble downhill into the valley.
Among the festivals, the “Disfida tra gli arcieri di terra e di corte” in Fivizzano and the patronal feast of San Francesco a Massa are the most important.
There are numerous other festivals devoted to typical products, including the lard fair in Colonnata, that of blueberries in Massa and the festivities of San Domenichino in Marina di Massa.
Taglierini with beans, meat tordelli and lasagne intordellate are all typical of Massese cooking.
Lard from Colonnata is an exceptional local product, matured for at least six months in Carrara-marble basins with many spices.
Other specialities are the rice cake and the herb cake, with egg, cheese and wild vegetable stuffing. The Lunigiani “testaroli” are also famous, made with a sheet of thin pastry, cooked in a cast iron “test”, then topped with pesto and pecorino.
The most typical desert is “spongata”, a puff pastry tart stuffed with jam and dried fruit.
Wine production in the area is also notable, among which the Candia.
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