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Massa: visit it alongside Carrara in Tuscany, the land of a thousand colours

When studying geography and looking at the region of Tuscany, the name ‘Massa Carrara’ is often treated as a single entity, as if it were a single town. However, in recent years, a new perspective has been gaining ground. In fact, Massa is a city in its own right, situated ‘very close by’, almost right next to its ‘rival’ Carrara. Together, they form the province of Massa Carrara.

It is not uncommon to find two territories that have come to lie side by side. This is partly due to their history and the nobles who ruled them or who amassed significant economic power.

Having made this historical clarification, we must say that a visit to Massa is truly astonishing. It is almost reminiscent of Amalfi, with its vibrant colours, and reflects some of the architectural features of the Cinque Terre in Liguria.

In fact, it is also known as: Massa, the city of a thousand colours.

The town and religious architecture of Massa

Many people know the town of Massa for its excellent cuisine. Unfortunately, we see that there are tourists who spend just a single day exploring it, drawn by the many restaurants, but who then fail to explore the town itself. This is a real shame because Massa has so much to offer. Its historic centre is exceptionally well preserved. The town is constantly maintained to preserve its original colour scheme. Piazza degli Aranci is the main square, featuring double rows of orange trees – from which it takes its name – as well as the Palazzo Ducale and the Obelisk. The latter is a Roman monument that was later rebuilt. Surrounding the obelisk are sculptures of lions and fountains.

Not far from the square stands Massa Cathedral, one of the oldest buildings. It was built in 1400 but was not consecrated until 70 years later. The reason for this was an internal conflict between the local nobility and the Church. 

In Massa, we also find the Rocca di Malaspina, which was one of the most imposing structures commissioned by the Malaspina family. Malaspina Castle is situated on the hillside behind Massa and forms part of Carrara. As we have already mentioned, the two towns are neighbours.

Returning to Massa, you must also visit Piazza Mercurio, where there is a beautiful statue of the god Mercury. This is the historic part of the town, which has Roman origins. 

Other interesting attractions include:

-    The walls of Massa

-   Porta Martana

-   Porta San Martino

-   Ducal Stables

-   Arco del Salvatore

-   Bastione San Sebastiano

-   Piazza della Conca

-   Palazzo Cadetti, home to the Diocesan Museum of Massa

The town is also home to ancient and modern sculptures that bring the surroundings to life and give them their distinctive character. 

As this is the ‘city of a thousand colours’, you can simply stroll along the main streets, admiring the stunning colours of the houses and monuments. They are vibrant, distinctive and create a creative atmosphere, ideal for painters.

Massa and its natural surroundings

Massa overlooks the Mediterranean coast. Its natural surroundings encompass both sea and mountains. There are therefore plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. At its foot, where Marina di Massa is situated, lies a splendid architectural feature: the ‘Pallottoliere di Massa’. This is a pier that allows visitors to stroll along it, extending several hundred metres out into the sea. Nearby is also the ‘Gomma Piuma’ playground, suitable for young children.

If you’d prefer to stay inland, you can explore numerous hiking trails and perhaps visit the many karst caves. A stunning natural destination that will make you fall in love with this area is the Acquapendente waterfall. It is a natural formation through which water has been flowing for centuries.