Fivizzano, Walled commune in Province of Massa-Carrara, Italy
Fivizzano is a walled town in the Province of Massa-Carrara in Tuscany, surrounded by stone fortifications with a historic core of narrow streets and old buildings. A large Renaissance fountain anchors the central square, where medieval and later structures stand closely together around the public space.
The settlement grew as a fortified trading center during the Middle Ages and came under Florentine control in the 15th century. This connection brought architectural changes and tied the place to wider Tuscan developments.
The name comes from the Vezza river that flows through the area, and the Medici family's influence shaped how the place developed and was built. Locals and visitors alike gather in the main square, where the community's connection to its past remains visible in daily life.
The town is easy to explore on foot since most areas are car-restricted and the narrow paved streets invite short walks. Comfortable shoes are helpful because the ground is uneven and some paths slope upward and downward.
A former Augustinian monastery displays 16th-century frescoes that were hidden for centuries beneath the surface of rooms. The conversion of the monastery into a guesthouse uncovered these artistic treasures and allows visitors to see the craftsmanship of earlier times.
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