The Malaspina Castle in Massa will be home to the Uffizi Diffusi. Go for restoration project

The Malaspina Castle in Massa will be the subject of a major restoration project to then become the new home of the Uffizi Diffusi upon completion. Massa may thus be joined by a second venue for the project, which will flank the more central Palazzo Ducale, on whose future we have opened a reflection on these pages. Indeed, a collaboration had been announced between the prefecture (which is based in the Palazzo Ducale) and the Florentine museum, for the organization of an exhibition in 2024 in the Palazzo Ducale.

And yesterday, as part of a meeting held at the Uffizi aimed at strengthening the collaboration between the Apuan city and the Florentine museum, the mayor of Massa Francesco Persiani and the director of the Uffizi Galleries Eike Schmidt spoke precisely about the Uffizi Diffusi project, which will also stop at the ancient Malaspina castle.

Regarding the interventions that will be carried out on the castle, the PNRR and the Superintendence of Lucca and Massa Carrara, following a careful investigation, have highlighted the need to act in a targeted manner on the decorations of the Renaissance palace, the marquis’ house, the guardhouse and the medieval keep. In addition, a series of maximum-urgency operations will be initiated to eliminate critical situations in the Renaissance palace, the heating system and the lighting system of the Renaissance courtyard. Simultaneously with the execution of the works by the Municipality of Massa, the Superintendence of Lucca and Massa Carrara, in agreement with the Ministry of Culture, will activate the procedures for the execution of another batch of works focused on the restoration of individual elements in severe deterioration, such as the consolidation of the interior paintings and the restoration of the columns of the loggias. The expected duration of the work will be 35 weeks equivalent to 245 days.

The massive extent of the work will not result in the closure of the complex, which, thanks to a guided route that will be modified depending on the progress of the works, will manage to maintain the same accessibility. The amounts to be borne by the Municipality of Massa, obtained thanks to the finding of PNRR funds, will be a total amount of 814,000 euros including 513,772.53 of works while the investments of the Superintendence of Lucca and Massa Carrara will have a total amount of 500,011.22 including 338,700.00 of works.

Through an analysis of the economic frameworks, and in relation to the auction rebates proposed by the contracting company, some economic availability was found with a surplus of about 60 thousand euros that will be invested for the provision of an alarm system that will further secure the site.

The administration is also dealing, with the Superintendence of Lucca and Massa Carrara, with the path related to State Federalism, which will lead the Municipality of Massa to become the owner of the manor house. The Valorization Plan that the Authority has prepared for the revitalization of the site has been sent, which is now being examined by the Superintendence itself and the Ministry of Culture.

“I thank Director Schmidt for enthusiastically accepting our proposal to place part of the Uffizi collection in our Malaspina Castle,” said Massa Mayor Francesco Persiani. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to promote the territory starting from the symbolic place of our city and to consolidate our tourist offer. This route is a great recognition for our city and its artistic-cultural history.”

“We are happy to strengthen our strategic presence on the Tyrrhenian coast, and to strengthen even more the historical-artistic relations with this territory. We are really proud to bring our works to the spaces of such a prestigious cultural asset as the Malaspina Castle, which will soon be restored and ready to welcome them,” said Uffizi Galleries director Eike Schmidt.

The Malaspina Castle in Massa will be home to the Uffizi Diffusi. Go for restoration project

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