5 – FIVIZZANO (ENG)

The second largest municipality in the province of Massa-Carrara after Pontremoli, Fivizzano stretches from the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines to the Apuan Alps, overseeing the eastern Lunigiana region. It is nestled among the valleys of the Bardine, Lucido, and Rosaro streams, which all flow into the Aulella, the area’s main watercourse. The town is a historical treasure, dotted with castles, churches, and stunning natural attractions.

Likely inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the discovery of a stele statue in the nearby hamlet of Verrucola, Fivizzano’s first written records date back to the Middle Ages. Archival sources mention it as Forum Verrucolae Bosorum, later evolving into Forum Fevizani, originally serving as a trade hub and political-administrative center.

Following the rule of the Bosi family, in 1202, the Malaspina dello Spino Fiorito took control, establishing themselves in Verrucola Castle. Due to its strategic position, Fivizzano became a highly sought-after prize among the region’s powers. In 1317, it was conquered by Castruccio Castracani, the lord of Lucca, and in 1430, it was briefly occupied by the Visconti of Milan.

In 1477, the town came under the rule of the Florentine Republic and the Medici, leaving a lasting architectural and cultural influence still visible in its historic center today. However, in 1494, it was sacked by the troops of Charles VIII of France during his march to Naples. Except for the Napoleonic era, Fivizzano remained under Tuscan rule until 1849, when it passed to the Este family, who governed it until Italy’s unification in 1861.

On July 6, 1848, Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany proclaimed Fivizzano a Noble City, and the poet Giosuè Carducci later described it as a “lost pearl among the mountains.” The town suffered severe damage in the 1920 earthquake, but its subsequent reconstruction has preserved its historical charm, which can still be admired today.