Fortezza Firmafede

About the museum

The citadel of Sarzana was erected at the wish of Lorenzo de’ Medici (Lorenzo il Magnifico) between 1487 and 1492, after the victory over the Genoese in the war of Serezzana. It stands on a Pisan fortification of the 13th century known as Firmafede, and is an important example of Florentine military architecture of the late 15th century.

In 1496 Sarzana returned to Genoa, but the Florentine project was completed in the 16th century with the walls that surround the whole town, starting from the fortress. In the 19th century, with the transfer to the Kingdom of Savoy and the change in defensive strategies, the complex was used first as a police barracks and then as a prison, until the 1970s.

Restorations carried out between 1985 and 2003 returned the fortress to the public. Today it houses the MUdeF, a multimedia museum that has no collection of its own but tells, across 27 rooms, the history of the Lunigiana through animated models, narrated stories and an immersive cinema; the opening of the museum has made the keep with its courtyard and the underground rooms visitable again.

Highlights

• Piazza d’Armi, towers and walkway along the walls
• Tunnels, underground galleries and prisons
• MUdeF, multimedia museum of the Lunigiana in 27 rooms
• 360° immersive cinema
• Combined ticket with the Fortezza di Sarzanello

Permanent exhibition

• MUdeF – Museo delle Fortezze – Multimedia museum with no collection of its own, telling the history of the Lunigiana across 27 rooms with animated models, talking pictures and an immersive cinema; currently closed for maintenance of the equipment.

Founded

1500

Operated by

Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Liguria (gestione Earth s.c.r.l.)

Visitors per year

approx. 30,291

Admission & discounts

The agreements with partner companies do not apply to events or temporary exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The educational programme “Senza Confini” is dedicated to autistic people or people with cognitive disorders. Information on motor accessibility is not published. Dogs are admitted on a lead.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Workshops for families and children, birthday parties in the fortress and the reduced-price family kit are offered.

Getting there & parking

The fortress is in the pedestrian zone; Porta Romana is the entry point of the ZTL (limited traffic zone).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The fortress can be rented for private events and ceremonies; the “cellette” of the Piazza d’Armi are also available.

Plan your visit