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Sarzana
and its beautiful historical center |
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The
great number of cultural activities still going on in Sarzana
are a consequence of its long tradition as an important center.
The symbol of Sarzana's power over the surrounding land is its
"Fortezza". Built on the ruins of the Firmafede stronghold,
the "Fortezza" is part of the town's outer walls,
and was built in the second half of XV century by the Florentines
of Lorenzo de'Medici. The building has a rectangular shape,
and is divided in two symmetrical parts; at the outer end of
each of them, imposing circular towers overlook the nearby valley.
Crossing the drawbridge one reaches the so-called "Cittadella",
core of the stronghold. From here, one accedes to the courtyard
and the fortress, with its cylindrical tower.
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Towards
the end of XV century another stronghold was modified and
enlarged, to back and strengthen the Fortezza di Sarzana:
the "Fortezza di Sarzanello", on the hill just
above the town. The building's main structure is an equilateral
triangle with sides of over 60 meters, reinforced at the
vertices by hefty cylindrical towers; inside the triangle
lies a square building which is the core of the fortress.
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The
fortezza complex is divided in two parts: the "rivellino",
that is the outer wall, and the fortress itself. These
two parts are connected by a bridge standing in front
of the fortress, which is in turn linked to the allure
through a narrow bridge. Another sign of Sarzana's importance
and wealth is the "Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta".
Dating from 1474, the church has a marble front with
a gothic doorway; in the XVII century, two elements
were added to the sides of the portal, harmoniously
integrated with the original structure.
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The
wooden ceiling of the cathedral is richly inlaid,
while the walls are decorated with paintings by
Fiasella, with sculptures by Riccomanni and with
a terra cotta from the Della Robbia school. On the
left of the altar, the "Cappella del Crocifisso"
(the Crux chapel) contains one of the most important
Romanesque paintings in Italy: a Christ by Mastro
Guglielmo dated 1138. Another chapel hosts a fine
reliquary called "Reliquario del Sacro Sangue"
("Shrine of the Holy Blood" - tradition
says it contains drops of Christ's blood).
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Among
other important churches there is the "Pieve
di Sant'Andrea", built in the X century but
then modified in gothic and baroque times. In the
inside there are important sculptures from XVI century
and fine paintings by Fiasella. Among civilian buildings,
noteworthy is the Comune (Town Hall), built in the
XV century but heavily modified in the following
century by the architect Roderio. In XIX century
it was also added the terrace facing what is now
"piazza Luni", and a small balcony overlooking
piazza Matteotti.
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Also
of some importance are: "Palazzo Podestà
Ricciardi" neat example of neo-classical style,
Palazzo Neri decorated by wonderful frescoes, "Palazzo
Picedi Benettini" in late-renaissance style,
and "Palazzo Magni Griffi", example of XVIII
century classic architecture. Finally, "Porta
Romana" is worth a visit; historical entrance
to the city, it is integrated in the city walls near
the massive "Testaforte Tower". The present
door, completely realised in white marble, dates from
XVIII century.
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