Top 19 Castles around Carrara

The Citadel, also known as the Sarzana Fortress or Firmafede Fortress, was the first fortification in Sarzana, built in the 13th century. It was owned by the lord Castruccio Castracani, who made numerous significant modifications to its defenses. After its destruction by Florence in 1487, it was rebuilt on the orders of Lorenzo de' Medici. In 1494, the Republic of Genoa, having regained possession of Sarzana, completed work on the Citadel. The fortress is used as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions and also houses the Fortress Museum, an interactive exhibit that traces the history of Sarzana and the Lunigiana region.

Sarzanello Fortress: the castle beloved by Lorenzo the Magnificent The Sarzanello Fortress, which dominates the Magra Valley from its hills, was commissioned by Lorenzo de' Medici, known as the Magnificent. Even today, its medieval towers and bastions are clearly visible from the historic homes of the valley and from the villages perched high up on the peaks of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, while the old drawbridge has been destroyed. But that won't stop you from accessing the castle, built on two triangular fortifications connected by a bridge and surrounded by a moat. (c) https://www.italia.it/it/liguria/la-spezia/castello-sarzana-val-di-magra

The Palazzo Ducale is an important monument in Massa, located in Piazza Aranci. It was built in the mid-16th century according to the wishes of Prince Alberico I Cybo-Malaspina. Hence it is also called Palazzo Cybo-Malaspina. The impressive façade overlooking the square offers a color scheme of red and white (in the marble and stucco). Beyond the main entrance opens a large courtyard, surrounded by columns, staircases, loggias and marble portals. At the far end is a nymphaeum with a statue of Neptune riding the waves.

Piazza Aranci in Massa is named after the double row of orange trees, which were planted in the early nineteenth century after the hotly debated demolition of the church of San Pietro on the orders of Countess Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon's niece. In the beginning, sweet citrus trees were selected and strict laws were in place to ensure that tourists and passers-by did not pick the fruits, which were instead given to charities. Over time, less tasty bitter citrus fruits were planted, which turned out to be stronger in winter. Giacomo Leopardi and Giosué Carducci were equally captivated by these trees and mentioned them in letters after visiting the square.

The Firmafede Fortress (originally called Cittadella) was built in 1249 thanks to the help of the Pisan allies of the city. In the 15th century the city became an important strategic point, Lorenzo the Magnificent decided to transform the village into a military stronghold of the Florentine lordship and to rebuild the fortress. In 1496 the fortress passed to the Banco di San Giorgio and from 1562 to the Republic of Genoa, remaining there until the end of the 18th century, a period in which it underwent several interventions. In the 19th century, with the annexation of the Republic to the Savoy kingdom and with the radical changes in defensive strategies, the fortress was used first as a police barracks and subsequently as a prison until the 1970s.

Beautiful square with lots of orange trees around it

The Torre di Castruccio is a military fortress located in Via Gino Menconi in Avenza, in the province of Massa-Carrara, near the Carrione River and Via Francigena. It is considered one of the main attractions of the city of Carrara. The tower has a cylindrical shape, with a base slightly wider than the upper part. Inside the tower is visible a tunnel that once connected the fortress with the nearby Piazza Carlo Finelli. In 2013, graffiti depicting symbols of Christ's passion were discovered, made by prisoners in the tower between the 16th and 18th centuries. In 2015, two more passages were discovered connecting the tower to the banks of the Carrione River and the center of the old town. After the unification of Italy, the fortress was sold by the Italian state to private owners to be used as a quarry, and in 1883 only the intervention of the German historian Theodor Momsen saved it from total destruction. Before the 'scientific dismantling' it consisted of three large round towers and one square one.

The Citadel, also called the Sarzana Fortress or Firmafede Fortress, was the first fortress of the city of Sarzana, built in the thirteenth century. After its destruction in 1487 by Florence, it was rebuilt on the orders of Lorenzo de' Medici himself. In 1494, the Republic of Genoa, after regaining possession of Sarzana, completed the work on the Citadel. The fortress is used as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions and also houses the Museum of the Fortresses, an interactive route that follows the history of Sarzana and Lunigiana.