MASSA

The "Dukedom of Massa" association, founded in order to revive historical and cultural traditions and feasts, is an official member of the National, as well as of the Tuscan Federation for Historical games.
The aim of This association is to assemble people to help them achieve, by playng together, better mutual understanding and to promote both the knowledge of our city and the development of tourism and economic activities in it.

On the 10th of June 1557 the nobles who ruled the town came down from the impressive Malaspina Castle and the young marquis Alberto Cybo Malaspina decreed that that day should remain famous in history because of the layng of the foundation stone of the new Town.
On thet day feasts, banquets, horse tournaments took place, including the "Quintana degli anelli".
The fortunes of the Cybo Malaspina family became greater and greater: they were conferred the title of Princes of the Sacred Roman Empire and were later appointed Dukes as well as Crusaders with coinage right.
To celebrate these historical glories and, at the same time, to perpetuate the local popular tradition of "Maggi" (ballads of epic-chilvalric subject) the "Dukedom of Massa" association has produced a series of costume performances that take place every year: they include the commemoration of the laying of the foundation stone, a solemn "Te Deum", the patron saint festival, etc.

Every year, on the 1st Saturday of August, a tournament called "Quintana Cybea" is held in Massa. A considerable number of people in ancient costumes walk along the streets of the historical centre of the town, accompanying the five knights that stand for its five old boroughs to the "Campo" (a large square), where the tournament takes place.
The winner is awarded the "Palio", painted by a local artist. It is a festival really worth attending, as the presence of thousands of enthusiastic onlookers every year.