Piazza Martana, located at the foot of the hill dominated by the Malaspina Castle, represents one of the historic hearts of Massa. Ashort distance away is Piazza Aranci and the Ducal Palace, erected in 1563 by Alberico Cybo Malaspina as the centerpiece of the court.This palace was part of a vast urban redevelopment project desired by the Malaspina family, which transformed Massa Vecchia into Massa Nova.
The square takes its name from the surrounding neighborhood and is the ideal starting point for exploring the city center. During Alberico’s rule, the square gained strategic importance with the building of Porta Toscana, one of the few monumental gates left intact. This gate, also known as Arco della Martana, represented Massa Nova’s main commercial outlet to Pietrasanta and Lucca, testifying to the power of the Cybo Malaspina family.
The square is surrounded by crucial streets such as Via Alberica, which connects the gate to the Ducal Palace, Via Beatrice, and the historic Via Piedimonte now called Bigini. Piazza Bastione, on the other hand, was the military center where drills and training took place, surrounded by buildings that once housed carriage sheds.
The Martana district has always housed workshops and artisans and is known for hosting the Jewish ghetto. Also near the square is the striking Rifugio Antiaereo della Martana, a tunnel built during World War II to protect the population from bombing, which is now used for cultural events such as exhibitions, concerts and theatrical performances.