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Inhabitants in 1991: 18.897
 The
territory of Massarosa in the Versilia, extends for an area of
68,59 square kilometres between the lake of Massaciuccoli and the extreme
offshoot of the Alpi Apuane, occupying hilly areas as well as the plains
of the foothills. Its present day extension goes back to 1869 when
it was constituted in autonomous municipality with twelve districts, detached
from the municipality of Viareggio.
The Canons of the Cathedral of Lucca, in the interests of King Ugo and
his son Lotario, exercised their power over “Curtis Massarosa”
called “Castrum” after the year 1,000. Occupied by the Marquis
Pelavicino, Captain General for Lucca in the Garfagnana, Versilia and
Lunigiana, the castle was given back, in 1242, to their legitimate Lords
thanks to the mediation of Pandolfo Fasanella, representing Emperor Federico
II. A few decades later, towards 1270, the Canons had to come to a
compromise with that part of the township which, until the XII century
had given life to community institutions: according to this compromise,
the Canons were to be named as Podesta, Chamberlain and other officials,
while the community was given the assignments of police and reserve forces,
but still with the possibility to appeal to the Podesta, on the basis
of the jurisdiction. After the Podesta’s period the Canons continued
to hold the Lordship power through the commissioner, until nearly the
end of the XVII century. During the liberation struggles the area between
Massaciuccoli and the town of Santa Maria a Colle sul Serchio was the
theatre of numerous attacks by certain divisions of the SS.
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford |
www.terraditoscana.com
