Fivizzano: History, Culture and Special Places

Fivizzano lies on a hill 326 metres high, on the left bank of the Rosaro stream, at the foot of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and near the Apuan Alps. The town is on the Strada Statale 63 del Cerreto, an important road link to Emilia and northern Italy. These geographic reference points provide a concrete framework for planning your trip: the riverbank, elevation and road connection are part of the townscape, alongside its historic buildings.

Historic Centre and City Walls

The walled historic centre is dominated by Piazza Medicea and its monumental fountain. The square is a prominent landmark for exploring the town centre and its history. The Mura Medicee were built around the middle of the 16th century. Today, the most visible sections are on the western side of the town, along with three gates: Porta Sarzanese to the south, Porta Modenese to the north and Porta Lucchese to the east. Their locations can be distinguished by the cardinal directions; together, the surviving sections and gates give a concrete impression of the historic fortifications.

Churches and Collections

The Church of Saints Jacopo and Antonio was built in the 13th century at the initiative of the monks of Sant’Antonio di Vienne. It became a parish church in 1378; since 1946, it has been the Marian sanctuary of Madonna di Reggio, Beata Vergine dell’Adorazione. This chronology shows how the building’s role developed over several centuries. The Museo di San Giovanni offers another perspective on sacred art: it displays valuable furnishings and numerous works of art-historical significance from the former Augustinian monastery, as well as from parish and other churches in the Fivizzano area. If you would like to visit this museum, check its opening hours separately.

Fivizzano also has a landmark associated with the history of printing. The Museo della Stampa in Palazzo Fantoni Bononi presents the history of printing in the town. In 1471, Jacopo da Fivizzano printed the first books with movable type in Fivizzano; in 1802, Agostino Fantoni developed an early prototype of a typewriter. The Museo della Stampa is currently closed because the building cannot be used following the earthquake of June 2013. Check its status again before planning a visit.

Places in the Fivizzano Area

Castello dell’Aquila is a 14th-century manor house in Gragnola, in the Fivizzano area. After a long period of decline, it was fully restored. Its history links a clearly identified location with a striking transformation of the building. This does not mean that it is currently open to the public; do not plan a visit based on its restoration alone.

The Geo-Archeo-Adventure Park at the Equi Caves is located in Equi Terme, within the municipality of Fivizzano, in the heart of the Apuan Alps Regional Park and in a Global Geopark recognised by UNESCO. This location distinguishes Equi Terme from Fivizzano’s historic centre and helps you tell the different destinations within the municipality apart. If you are looking for a hotel in Fivizzano, first decide which of these places is the main reference point for your trip. For a specific offer, check its location in relation to your destination.

Events and Accommodation

At the 2024 edition of Fivizzano Sapori, the historic centre came alive for four days with a food market where local dishes were served at the stalls. If you would like to plan your trip around a future event, check the dates for your chosen travel period.

A pilgrims’ hostel on the Via del Volto Santo is located in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, also known as Piazza Medicea. It has ten beds for pilgrims travelling to Lucca Cathedral, which houses an ancient wooden crucifix. If you plan to stay here, confirm availability and conditions before your trip. This makes it easier to consider the historic sights, destinations within the municipality and specific accommodation plans separately and in a way that suits your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Maglietola, San Terenzo Monti, Bardine Di San Terenzo, Vezzanello, Gragnola, Sassalbo, Mommio and Caniparola.

Return to the main travel overview: Massa-Carrara.