Walking down Via della Libertà, known as ‘Il Corso’ by the locals of Massa, with the majestic Cathedral behind it, it’s worth wandering through the charming alleys that connect the “Corso”—on the left with Via Norma Parenti, and on the right with Via Moncini. This route uncovers hidden corners full of authentic charm, which, in addition to being rich in stories and legends, become the scene for Halloween frights and Christmas’s Village during the Christmas holidays.
Vicolo Porte
Vicolo Porte runs behind the Pannocchieschi Palace, marking one of the ancient medieval boundaries of the countryside. Once a hub of artisan activity, the street today is recognizable by the striking alternation of arches that line its path. Along the alley, there is also an underground room that, as the plaque tells us, houses the well where, in the 14th century, it is said that Bindoccio, the son of Nello Pannocchieschi and Margherita Aldobrandeschi, died. His death, at the hands of assassins sent by the Orsini family, was the tragic conclusion of a conspiracy to prevent the young heir from influencing the future of the Aldobrandeschi lands. This story stands as a testament to the violence and power struggles that marked the history of this land, although historians are divided in their opinions about the details of the event.
Vicolo Massaini
Vicolo Massaini runs directly from Piazza Garibaldi, opposite Palazzo Malfatti, and is probably named because of the Massaini family, one of the city’s ancient noble families. Throughout history, families who owned land or buildings in a certain area often gave their name to streets, alleys or neighbourhoods, either for reasons of prestige or for simple practical reasons related to ownership or residence. The Massaini family, like many other prominent families in Massa Marittima, may have had some influence over the area or owned buildings in that part of town. This is a common phenomenon in many medieval and Renaissance towns, where the most powerful or well-known families in the community influenced the toponymy.
Vicolo Ciambellano
It was formerly known as “Chiasso del Lucchetti”: this was the most skilled blacksmith in the area, capable of repairing any mechanical device, from a rifle trigger to a safe lock
Vicolo Masaniello
Vicolo Masaniello is named after Tommaso Aniello – known as Masaniello – a famous 17th-century Neapolitan revolutionary, known for leading a popular uprising in 1647 against fiscal and social oppression by the Spanish monarchy. The name of the alley in Massa Marittima could be linked to a memory or historical influence referring to the figure of Masaniello, a symbol of popular rebellion and struggle against injustice and inequality. Although Massa Marittima was not directly involved in the Neapolitan events, it may have given the alley its name as a tribute to the figure of the popular leader, perhaps because of an analogy with other situations of social struggle or because of a historical connection between the two localities.
