Sarzana, Medieval commune in La Spezia Province, Italy
Sarzana is a small town in eastern Liguria, a few kilometers from the sea and the Apuan Alps. Stone city walls enclose the old core, where streets cross and lead to squares with light-colored facades.
The town was founded in the 10th century when inhabitants of the abandoned Roman colony of Luni moved here. Genoa and Florence contested control over this strategic point on the Via Francigena several times during the 14th and 15th centuries.
The name Sarzana possibly derives from a Roman settlement that now lies beneath the narrow lanes and porticoed squares. Market vendors line up along the central street, where bookshops and antiquarian dealers recall the town's literary tradition.
The center is compact and walkable, though cobblestones can be slippery when wet. Most shops and eateries close on Sunday afternoons and for midday breaks several days a week.
Every August, an antiquarian book fair turns the streets and squares into a maze of book stalls where collectors hunt for rare volumes. Some dealers travel from other regions specifically to take part in this event.
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