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Sarzana is a town of 22 457 inhabitants in the province of La Spezia in Liguria. It is located in the plain of the lower Val di Magra, on the border with Tuscany. It is an important crossroads of communication routes between the two regions and Emilia-Romagna. Sarzana has Roman origins, but developed as an urban center in the Middle Ages, when it became a bishopric in place of the ancient city of Luni. Sarzana was disputed between Genoa and Florence for its strategic and commercial role and still preserves the testimonies of its historical events.
Among the main attractions there are the two fifteenth-century fortresses: the Firmafede Fortress, built by the Florentines and home to the Museum of Fortresses, and the Fortress of Sarzanello, built by the Genoese and then enlarged by the Pisans and the Medici.
Sarzana also has a rich artistic and cultural heritage, which can be admired in its historic center, surrounded by walls and towers. Among the most important monuments there are the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, in Gothic and Baroque style, the Palazzo dei Priori, seat of the municipality and the Court, the Casa Bonaparte, where Napoleon’s grandfather lived, the church of San Francesco, which houses the sword in the rock attributed to San Galgano.
Sarzana is also known for its cultural events, such as the Festival della Mente, the Opera Festival, the Teatro in Fortezza and La Soffitta nella strada. Sarzana is a city to discover on foot or by bike, enjoying its historic and lively atmosphere…
