Villa Massoni, Renaissance villa in Massa, Italy

Villa Massoni, also called Villa di Volpigliano or Villa della Rocca, stands on via Rocca just outside Massa's Alberician walls. Its western side is a series of column-and-arch loggias descending the hillside, linked to the building by terraces, balustrades and stairs, attributed to the Carrara architect Alessandro Bergamini.

The original nucleus, smaller than today's villa, was built in the second half of the 16th century. In 1637 Prince Carlo I Cybo-Malaspina bought it for 2,500 pezze; the contract describes a modest building with a dovecote. Duke Carlo II later financed terraced loggias and balustrades, attributed to architect Alessandro Bergamini. In 1721 Duke Alderano I sold many marble statues to pay debts, partly to Cardinal Camillo Cybo and partly to agents of Tsar Peter I of Russia.

The villa's name comes from the Massoni family, who owned it in the 19th century. Its loggias, balustrades and terraces follow Genoese models such as Villa Doria at Fassolo, while the classical decoration reflects the Roman taste of Cardinal Alderano Cybo, who sent antiquities from Ostia.

The villa stands on via Rocca, just outside Massa's Alberician walls, on the slope of the Volpigliano hill. The grounds are private and not open to visitors, so the exterior and the gate are seen from the public road. The terraced loggias rise on the western side of the hill, facing the sea.

The estate was not always a noble residence but served as farmland for several generations before returning to aristocratic hands. This period of rural working life left its mark on the grounds and structure.