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Massa

Massa
Masa
Comune
Massa-panorama dalle alture1.jpg
Coat of arms of Massa
Coat of arms
Massa within the province of Massa and Carrara
Massa within the province of Massa and Carrara
Massa is located in Italy
Massa
Massa
Location of Massa in Italy
Coordinates: 44°02′N 10°08′E / 44.033°N 10.133°E / 44.033; 10.133Coordinates: 44°02′N 10°08′E / 44.033°N 10.133°E / 44.033; 10.133
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Province / Metropolitan city Massa and Carrara (MS)
Frazioni see list
Government
 • Mayor Alessandro Volpi
Area
 • Total 94.1 km2 (36.3 sq mi)
Elevation 65 m (213 ft)
Population (31 August 2015)
 • Total 69,710
 • Density 740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Massesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 54100
Dialing code 0585
Patron saint St. Francis of Assisi
Saint day October 4
Website Official website

Massa [ˈmassa] About this sound listen  (Emilian: Masa) is a town and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, the administrative centre of the province of Massa and Carrara. It is located in the Frigido River Valley, near the Alpi Apuane, 5 km (3 mi) from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Massa is mentioned for the first time in the Tabula Peutingeriana, a 2nd-4th century AD itinerary, with the name ad Tabernas frigidas, referring perhaps to a stage on the Via Aemilia Scauri consular road from Pisa to Luni.

From the 15th to the 19th century, Massa was the capital of the independent Principate (later Duchy) of Massa and Carrara, ruled by the Malaspina and Cybo-Malaspina families. Massa is the first recorded town in Europe in which the magnetic needle compass was used in mines to map them and determine the extent of various mine owners' properties.

In 1829 the city was handed over to the Austrian branch of the Este family. In 1859, during the unification of Italy process, it joined the Kingdom of Sardinia.


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