Massa-carrara

The Massa-Carrara area, among the southernmost Tuscan sections, extends along the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Liguria borders and surrounds the Emilia Romagna lands on the Northern part. The province, formerly under the Emilia Romagna administration and then reorganised in 1923, originated from the union of the areas comprised in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchies of Modena and Reggio. Massa-Carrara ‘s territory is one of the most spectacular in central Italy: Nature perfectly combines the splendour of the beaches along the famous promenade with the magnificence of the impressive Apuane Alps, from where the best marbles in the market is extracted. The uniqueness of the splendid panorama explains the great number of hotels, restaurants, guest-houses and seaside resorts, constantly crowded by enthusiastic visitors and travellers. Among the most appreciated itineraries, there is the Medieval Via Francigena, along the Magra River, and Lunigiana, a zone named after the ancient Roman city of Luni. Worth mentioning are the significant urban and architectural attractions in the province, such as the numerous castles built here: the majestic Malaspina di Massa Castle, the massive Castle of Malgrate di Villafranca, the characteristic Moneta di Carrara Castle and the impressive Castle of Castiglione del Terziere di Bagnone.