Sarzana

Sarzana: citadel

Sarzana, town, Liguria region, northern Italy, on the fertile plain of the Magra River, just east of La Spezia. Mentioned as a fortress in 963 and as a town in 1084, it is believed to have been founded by fugitives from the abandoned town of Luni near the Etruscan Luna, the episcopal see of which was transferred to Sarzana in 1202. It was held by the Pisans and the Florentines before passing to Genoa in 1572. Notable landmarks include the old Pisan citadel (1263), rebuilt by Lorenzo de’ Medici in 1488; the cathedral of Sta. Maria Assunta (1355–1474), with a painted Crucifixion (1138) from Luni; the Fortezza di Sarzanello (1322), built by Castruccio Castracani on the site of a 10th-century fortress; and the remains of 15th-century town walls. Pope Nicholas V was born at Sarzana. An agricultural and commercial centre on the main Rome–Genoa road and rail routes, the modern town has an important trade in early market-garden produce. Pop. (2006 est.) mun., 20,405.