The first piece of news about Pontremoli comes from Sigerio: shortly before year 1000, the writer describes the town as an important leg for pilgrimages linking Rome to Santiago de Compostela. In XII century, after a series of battles, the town won its independence from the Malaspina dominion.

Pontremoli's independence was short-lived, though: Federico I, interested in controlling trade movements in the region, expanded its dominion over Pontremoli, leaving however some freedom to the town. In the following centuries a number of towns set their sight on Pontremoli: Milan, Genoa, Florence, Lucca, Parma and Pisa all fought ferociously over it. In 1495 the French king Charles VIII became a new pretender, and set Pontremoli on fire.

Later, in 1650, Pontremoli becomes part of the Granducato di Toscana, until its annexation to the Regno d'Italia. In this period the town becomes diocese and chief town of district, achieving the much sought-after dignity it had reclaimed for centuries.