Sarzanadiscover...

Ordo PopulusQue Lunensium

“government and people of Luni”

Background

The position of Sarzana at the entrance to the valley of the Magra, the boundary between Etruria and Liguria in Roman times, gave it military importance in the Middle Ages. The first mention of the city is found in 983 in a diploma of Otto I; in 1202 the episcopal see was transferred from the ancient Luni, 5 km southeast, to Sarzana.

Today the XVI century walled suburb is almost intact with the ancient walls and four towers, and there is an impressive number of buildings and churches.

In the outskirts, it is possible to visit other villages, sunbathe in Marinella di Sarzana beaches or visiting the Roman ruins of Luni.

How to get hereThere are regular direct flights from Dublin to Pisa. Once in Pisa, you can either arrive to Sarzana by train (there is a train station at the airport), or rent a car and take the A10 north, direction GENOVA.

Ideal for...Everyone!

There are many reasons why you may visit Sarzana: from the historical interest, to the seaside, or maybe just to be part of a cultural event and taste the delicious cuisine produce of the influence of many different traditions and regions.

What to visit● Cathedral of Santa Maria - The building is a mixture of the

Romanesque and Gothic styles, reflecting the length of the period of its construction, from the early 13th to the late 15th century. The cathedral is noted as the home of a relic of the Blood of Christ and of the important Romanesque Cross of Maestro Guglielmo of 1138. It also contains two elaborately-sculptured altars of the latter period.

● Fortezza di Sarzanello - It's an imposing military fortification erected on the hill of Sarzana, and it overlooks the Magra Valley. Nowadays it's one of the symbol of the town.

● The “Citadel” or Fortezza Firmafede - built by the Pisans, was demolished and re-erected by Lorenzo de' Medici.

What to visit● Pieve of St. Andrea - dating to the 10th-11th centuries, is the oldest

religious building in the city. It was later remade, the last time in 1579, and has a 16th century portal. In the interior marble sculptures from the 14th-15th centuries, a Vocation of Saints by Domenico Fiasella and a dodecagonal baptismal font. It also contains a crypt.

● Church of San Francesco - documented from 1238 and, according to the tradition, founded by St. Francis of Assisi himself. In the interior a frescoed lunette attributed to Priamo della Quercia.

● The streets and the piazzas of the city center - Walk through the narrow streets, along historical buildings; enjoy the vibe of the crowd. You can stop for a snack, a sweet treat or a gelato. During summer nights people enjoy staying out from aperitivo to dinner, and drinks afterwards.

What to Eat / Drink

The sarzanese answer to fast food: Vegetable Cakes, Focaccia & Farinata (thin, unleavened pancake or crêpe of chickpea flour), and Pizza. All wood-fired oven cooked.

Fish - In Liguria, you’re virtually guaranteed of one

thing: local fish, caught that day. One particular dish of

this area is Stuffed Mussels

Sgabei: leavened bread dough, cut into strips, fried and salted on the surface that is traditionally eaten plain or stuffed with cheese or cold cuts.

Pesto!

Spongata: Roll of sweet pastry filled with honey, dried fruit, nuts and candied fruit.

Vermentino Ligure: Vermentino is a Ligurian wine that received recognition as D.O.C. Fresh and subtle, with a hint of wildflowers and herbs, with good intensity and persistence. A dry wine that goes especially well with seafood.

Events● end of May: International Acoustic Guitar Meeting - Held inside the Fortress

Firmafede, has become one of the most important international events dedicated to the acoustic guitar and its music.

● mid-July: Sconfinando - International Festival of Music and Sounds from the world

● beginning of August: Soffitta nella Strada (The Attic in the Street) - antique trade market. Walking around in the old streets you can find any kind of object, for collectors and fans (even Gianni Versace loved the market of antique), ranging from vintage furnishing to lithography, from unobtainable books to jewellery.

● beginning of September: Festival della Mente (Mind Festival) - event dedicated to creativity. It brings together Italian and foreign writers, artists, musicians, architects, film and theatre directors as well as scientists and philosophers who investigate the nature of this most fascinating and mysterious human skill. http://portale.festivaldellamente.it/en/events

● end of September: Napoleon Festival - a weekend of Napoleonic celebrations in the Bonaparte family's birth town (yes, Sarzana!). There will be a Napoleonic market, an historical re-enactment, a concert of period music, a ball celebrating the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.

Famous People● Bonaparte Family

The family was from minor Italian nobility from a town near Florence. They family later separated into two branches; and one moved to Sarzana. A member of the Sarzana branch and ancestor to Napoleon, Francesco Buonaparte went to Corsica in 16th century and the island was in Genoese possession.

● Pope Nicholas VBorn Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from 6 March 1447 until his death in 1455. The Pontificate of Nicholas saw the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks. He is the last pope to take the name "Nicholas" upon his election.

● Domenico FiasellaPainter of the Baroque period, mainly active in Genoa. He was nicknamed “Il Sarzana”, after his birthplace.

And much much more just around the corner...● Cinque Terre

"The Five Lands" is composed of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

● PortovenerePortoVenere is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It dates back to at least the middle of the 1st century BC. The name refers to a temple to the goddess Venus which was sited on the promontory where the church of Peter the Apostle now stands.

● LUNAE (Roman ruins of Luni)Founded by the Romans in 177 BC with the name Luna, it was a military stronghold for the campaigns against the Ligures. The Viking king Hastings thought it was Rome when he arrived from the North and plundered the city in 860.

Come visit Sarzana!

So what are you waiting for?