Duchy of Massa
| Duchy of Massa and Carrara | ||||||||||||||
| Ducato di Massa e Carrara | ||||||||||||||
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 Coat of arms
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Motto Libertas "Liberty" |
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| Capital | Massa | |||||||||||||
| Languages | Italian | |||||||||||||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | |||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | |||||||||||||
| Historical era | Italian Renaissance | |||||||||||||
| • | Established | 22 February 1473 | ||||||||||||
| • | French rule | 1796-1814 | ||||||||||||
| • | Disestablished | 14 November 1829 | ||||||||||||
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The Duchy of Massa and Carrara was the duchy that controlled the towns of Massa di Carrara and Carrara; the area is now part of unified Italy, but retains its local identity as the province of Massa-Carrara.
The core of this territory was formed on 22 February 1473 when Iacopo Malaspina, Marquis of Massa, purchased the Lordship of Carrara (villages of Carrara, Moneta and Avenza).
At first the marquis resided in Carrara but, as Carrara was frequently invaded by French forces, he moved to Massa.
The house of Malaspina became extinct in the male line two generations later. In 1520 Ricciarda Malaspina, granddaughter of Iacopo and last direct heir of the house, married Lorenzo Cybo, member of an influential Genoese family related to the Medici and with Pope Innocent VIII. From this marriage originated the new house of Cybo-Malaspina.
Under his rule the land went through a very prosperous period, thanks to a high demand for Carrara marble in various courts. Alberico I, aware that its territory was surrounded by more powerful and influential neighbors, submitted in 1554 to the Holy Roman Empire of Charles V. Due to cultural and economic achievements under the government of Alberico I, the city of Carrara was awarded the title of marquisate in 1558. In 1568 Massa was elevated to a principality by Emperor Maximilian II.
In 1664 the territory of Massa became a duchy and Carrara became a principality. The Cybo-Malaspina gained the title of Dukes of Massa and Princes of Carrara.
In 1738 Maria Teresa Cybo-Malaspina, the last descendant of the family, married Ercole d'Este, the last male heir of the Duchy of Modena. Their daughter Maria Beatrice Ricciarda d'Este thus passed both duchies to her son Francis.
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Wikipedia