Villa Annamaria

Massa and Carrara are located in a valley between the sea and the Alpi Apuane, which virtually appear to be snow-capped due to the marble quarries. Massa, the administrative centre of the province, is an important commercial Cities, though it has preserved its medieval heart, dominated by the fortress and important buildings from the 16th century around the Piazza Aranci and the Palazzo Ducale. Contended by both Lucca and Pisa, Massa was conquered by the Florentines and the Visconti family. Massa experienced its most flourishing period with Carrara under the Malaspina family. The Estensi family took over during the 18th century, but Massa also experienced a short period under Napoleon, as many other Italian Cities, and then in 1859 it was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Carrara is the capital of the precious white marble. The marble quarries were famous already during the Roman time and the main commercial activity of Carrara is still the extraction, the work and the marketing of marble.

Each year, thanks to the skill and the courage of the inhabitants, the "lizzatura" that is the transportation of the marble blocks by hand is commemorated. You are able to see the working of the precious material in the workshops, in the Museo del marmo and during the yearly festivals. Carrara's history goes hand in hand with the history of Massa. Carrara was dominated by the Malaspina family until 1860 when it became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
MASSA
The visit starts at Piazza Aranci, which preserves an obelisk and a fountain from the 19th century, and Palazzo Cybo Malaspina. Walking along Via Dante, you get to the Cathedral, built in the 14th century and restructured in the 17th century, though the modern façade is from 1936.

CARRARA
The inside of the Cathedral is Baroque and houses works by Benedetto Buglioli and "Sant'Anna con Maria Bambina" by Pinturicchio. Beside the Cathedral is the Museo Storico di Arte Sacra, where you can admire church ornaments, precious gold-works and many art works. Entering the Porta Quaranta, you can walk along the old walls to the fortress from where you have a marvellous view. In the Medieval fortress you find the Palazzo Malaspina from the 16th century.

In the surroundings, at the Alpi Apuane, with a spectacular view, you find the San Carlo spas. It is here where the Aurelia water is bottled and from here you can take one of the several trekking trials if you want to discover the mountains.
MASSA
The visit starts at Piazza Aranci, which preserves an obelisk and a fountain from the 19th century, and Palazzo Cybo Malaspina. Walking along Via Dante, you get to the Cathedral, built in the 14th century and restructured in the 17th century, though the modern façade is from 1936.

MASSA
The visit starts at Piazza Aranci, which preserves an obelisk and a fountain from the 19th century, and Palazzo Cybo Malaspina. Walking along Via Dante, you get to the Cathedral, built in the 14th century and restructured in the 17th century, though the modern façade is from 1936.
The inside of the Cathedral is Baroque and houses works by Benedetto Buglioli and "Sant'Anna con Maria Bambina" by Pinturicchio. Beside the Cathedral is the Museo Storico di Arte Sacra, where you can admire church ornaments, precious gold-works and many art works. Entering the Porta Quaranta, you can walk along the old walls to the fortress from where you have a marvellous view. In the Medieval fortress you find the Palazzo Malaspina from the 16th century.
In the surroundings, at the Alpi Apuane, with a spectacular view, you find the San Carlo spas. It is here where the Aurelia water is bottled and from here you can take one of the several trekking trials if you want to discover the mountains.