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A View of the Old Town Centre at Massa, Tuscany

Palazzo Ducale (16th century)
Started in 1557 by Alberico Cybo-Malaspina, it is the result of the transformation-development of a pre-existing Malaspina building. The complex architectural work only finished in the next century, with the façade decorated by Alessandro Bergamini. Another Bergamini, Francesco, drew up the project for the chapel, with rich decorations by artists from Carrara including Ferdinando Tacca.
Francesco Bergamini also supervised the building of the internal portico, the monumental stairs and the upper loggia. The characteristic “Grottesco” on the ground floor dates back to 1701. The building is currently used for the Prefecture and the Provincial Administration offices.
Info: URP Provincia di Massa-Carrara, Tel. 0585 816221;

Chiesa Cattedrale SS. Pietro e Francesco (14th century)
According to reports from the period, at the end of the fifteenth century construction work starter on the Convento di S. Francesco di Massa. It isn’t clear whether the church was built at the same time as the convent, or if the first was built onto an existing building. The second hypothesis is believed to be more plausible by scholars, who date the year of the consecration as 1389. This makes it the oldest church of Massa, after the Pieve di S. Pietro (which no longer stands today).
The current façade dates back to 1936.

The interior consists of one single spacious nave interrupted by a cross, with eight altars plus the high altar of the apse, all richly decorated with polychromatic marble. There is also a font by Riccomanni, as well as many paintings and sculptures. In the vaults you will find the tombs and the chapel of the Cybo-Malaspina family.

Chiesa della Madonna del Carmine (16th century)
Built in the middle of the 16th century with the Santa Chiara monastic complex by order of the Marchesa Taddea Malaspina. The entrance to the building is guarded by a slender portico with marble columns, with a Majesty. Inside there is a painting of the Lombard School, that dates back to the 15th century, dedicated to the Madonna del Carmine and, next to the high altar, tow paintings attributed to Domenico Fiasella.

Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art
The Museum is housed in the “palazzino dei cadetti” which was built at the end of the 16th century by Alberico I Cybo-Malaspina and has recently been reconstructed.
The museum contains some important materials relevant to liturgy and the profession of the Catholic faith in the province of Massa-Carrara, coming from all the churches of the diocese.
They are precious objects and works, not only for their artistic value, but also and especially for their liturgical use.
Info: via Alberica, 26. Visit must be booked in advance, Tel. 0585 8990223/883001;
www.massacarrarachiesacattolica.it

All information and photos courtesy of www.aptmassacarrara.it

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