Massa Carrara accommodations and reservations

Massa has great tourist resources and many high quality hotels. Book your accommodation in Massa in selected Hotels from One, Two, Three, Four and Five Stars.

 

 

Informations about Massa

Massa is the capital of a province of the same name, with about 70000 inhabitants.

 

It is located in the north of Tuscany, on the border between Liguria, Emilia Romagna and Lucca.

 

Its stunning medieval part lies by a rock, while its modern part, which developed during the VI century A.D., is near the sea.

 

Massa short History

The first testimonies go back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages, but it was only throughout the Roman period, in the first centuries A.D., that the city originated.

 

During the Renaissance, unlike the other Tuscan provinces, Massa did not go under the Medici family's dominion, thanks to its geographical location and to the city of Lucca.

 

Due to its strategic position, Massa was for many years afflicted by continuous hostilities among Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Milan, up to 1442, when it passed under the authority of the Malaspina family.

 

They were able to give great splendour to this land, by enhancing its resources as, for example, improving the Alpi Apuane marble caves and building the old town.

 

The particularly white, sturdy and pure marble, which makes this material easily to be worked, attracted many artists - painters, sculptors and architects - who come from the whole peninsula, during the VI century A.D. Among them, Michelangelo, who made this marble famous in Europe and all over the world.

Massa Carrara to visit

Of exceptional value is the San Francesco and Pietro Cathedral, the most ancient church of Massa. It was built in more stages: the original building (church of San Francesco) was enlarged with two more chapels (VI century A.D.) and, later, with the Stigmata's Chapel (VII century A.D.).

 

When the church of San Pietro was destroyed in 1807, the Cathedral was devoted to San Francesco from Assisi and to San Pietro.

 

Interesting churches also to visit are: the church of San Giovanni Decollato, with clear Baroque influences; the church of Misericordia, started in 1628 and finished in 1744; the church of San Sebastiano; and the church of San Leonardo a Frigido.

 

Another important tourist site is the Malaspina Castle. Its origins go back to the XI century A.D.; the castle is sited in a dominant position contemplating the underlying city and great part of the Tyrrhenian cost line.

 

Its main function was military; but it was also a prestigious residence, with its beautiful rooms. Among these, the "Sala della Spina" (the Thorn room) with frescos representing landscape paintings, and the "Camera Picta" (Painted room) frescoed with geometrical decorations. Now it houses a museum where important pieces are gathered.

 

Among Massa main attractions we can mention: The Massoni Villa, the Villa of the Rinchiostra, in baroque style built, the Villa Pascoli and the Villa of the Cuncia. Near the city there are the famous marble caves, from where the marble is extracted.

 

The landscape is magic: the perfection of the shape of the crystals, the sharpness and the transparency provide an experience of great emotional impact. During the summer period suggestive events take place.

 

The gastronomy offers dishes from fish to meat. Worth of note is the lard of Colonnata, whose quality and taste are unique. Absolutely delicious the wine doc produced in Massa beautiful surroundings.