Massa is one of those quaint towns in Tuscany, that radiates the period of the middle Ages. The city counts less than 10000 inhabitants and lies about sixty-five kilometres southwest of Siena or hundred fifteen kilometres southwest of Florence, the city rises on a hill 380 meters high in the heart of the hills of the Alta Maremma, the so called Colline Metallifere. Massa Marittima, in stead of what the name suggests, is more than twenty kilometres away from the sea.

Its origins are obscured from sight in clouds of mystery. There are traces of a human settlement of the Bronze Age found in the outskirts of the surrounding hills. Already in the Etruscan period the zone was known for the wealth of its minerals, probably this city was the 'Massa Veternense', mentioned in different Roman sources.

The city can be divided into three distinct areas, la Citta Vecchia (old city), la Citta Nuova (new city) and the Borgo (the fortress).

In the 9th century St. Cerbone moved his bishop's seat to Massa Marittima. This was the start of Massa's middle Ages prosperity, based on the mining of metals in the hills surrounding the city. In the 1225 Massa becomes a free city-state, detaching the ties of church control. Thanks to the commercial exploitation of the minerals (iron, copper, lead and silver) the name of the town was changed in "Massa Metallorum". In this period the great monuments as the Romanic-Gothic Cathedral (already in the 12th century), the Praetorian Palace, the Public Palace (1230) and the Public Fountain (1265), were build, all inside the walls of the lower town( la Citta Vecchia).

Unfortunately the prosperity attracted the attention of nearby Siena and they conquered Massa, taking over the upper half of town and fortifying it as their Citta Nuova (New Town). In the days of glory, the city produced both important religious heritage (St. Bernardine of Siena was born and died here) and "a civic legacy". For example the first mining code in European history was drawn up here in the 14th century, one of the most important documents from the middle Ages. Today, Massa is an overlooked gem in the western Tuscan hills. Only German tourists come frequently in summertime, but aside from them, Massa and its beautiful surroundings lie empty for exploration.

The jewels of Massa Marittima are:

The Duomo

You find the Duomo at the top of the stairway, leading from the beautiful Piazza Garibaldi, the centre of the medieval city. Built in the 13th century in Roman-Gothic style, it has a beautiful facade with arches and small loggias. The pointed bell tower is characterised by a series of stained glass windows. Inside there are notable works of art such as a 14th century baptismal font, a 13th century crucifix and the "Madonna delle Grazie" (attributed to Duccio di Buoninsegna). The Duomo also preserves the "Nativita" by Rutilio Manetti and the marble sculpture "Arca di San Cerbone".

Palazzo Pretorio

This 13th century building has a facade adorned by mullioned windows and coats of arms. It houses the "Archaeological Museum" with many Roman and Etruscan treasures. In the "Pinacoteca" gallery,you find the "Maesta" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and some works by Sassetta and Sano di Pietro.

Palazzo Comunale

This Romanesque building was constructed in the 13th century by connecting the three tower-houses.

Sant' Agostino

Built in Gothic style, this church has a travertine Romanesque facade with portals, rose windows and arches. Inside are works by Lorenzo Lippi and Rutilio Manetti.

Fonte dell' Abbondanza

This beautiful fountain was built in Roman Gothic style in the middle of the 13th century.

The mining museum

It consists of a series of underground tunnels, recalling the real environment of the mine. It has a permanent exhibition of instruments and machinery, as well as a rich collection of stones and ores from the surrounding mining area.

Not far from Massa Marittima you find the famous ruined gothic Abbey of San Galgano and the Hermitage of Montesiepi.

The event of the year in Massa is without a doubt the "Balestro Del Girifalco". It has taken place since ancient times, twice a year on the first Sunday after May 20 and the second Sunday of August. Balestro is a crossbow competition between the quarters of the city, named "Terzieri", which consists of hitting the target placed at a distance of 36 meters. The crossbowman who is able to put the arrow in the bull eye's centre is the winner. For the winning crossbowman, there is a golden arrow and the winning quarter receives the "Palio", a painted silk cloth. About 200 people in medieval costumes take part in this festival.

For more information visit

• Massa Marittima
• Castelli Toscani Massa Marittima