Aulla (Massa Carrara)

Inhabitants 10.115
Area 59,63 Sq km
Altitude 64 m. asl
A15 motorway exit - Aulla

Aulla is sprawled in a vast plain surrounded by hills, at the confluence of the Aulella stream into the Magra. Its strategic position at the foot of three important passes (Cisa, Cerreto and Lagastrello), and on the road to Casola and to the Garfagnana, made Aulla a central place for trade between the inland and the sea. Unfortunately, the Second World War bombings destroyed most of the old city, so now Aulla is a modern little town, with big shopping centres and little of its old charm. On the surrounding hills, however, there are still many intact medieval villages: Caprigliola, Albiano, Bibola, Olivola, and Pallerone.

Aulla is dominated by the Fortezza della Brunella, square military building from the XV century. Restored in recent times, the fortress can be reached in few minutes from the city center and is the symbol of the town. The Fortezza della Brunella hosts the "Museo di Scienze naturali della Lunigiana" (Lunigiana Natural Science Museum), and is located in the middle of a beautiful park, with a view on the two rivers of the valley.

The countryside is magnificent, and it conveys the atmosphere of old times. The most interesting spots are: Caprigliola, whose city walls were built by the Medici; Bibola, with an old ruined castle; Albiano, rich in medieval houses; Olivola, in a dominating position, and Pallerone, medieval village that hosts a mechanical "presepe" (Nativity representation) from 1935.