Discover Marciaso: Local History and Everyday Culture

Discover Marciaso

The Oratorio dell’Opera di Marciaso was built in 1748 and now serves as the parish church. In front of the Oratorio is a square where a Madonna di Loreto dating from 1622 and a Malaspina coat of arms dating from 1627 stand. For those interested in culture, this square combines religious use with two independent historical markers. The Madonna and the coat of arms do not date from the time when the Oratorio was built; each has its own date. The Oratorio thus combines its established construction year with a present-day ecclesiastical function. The Madonna and the coat of arms stand as separately dated elements on the same square. The chronological sequence ranges from 1622 and 1627 for the markers on the square to the Oratorio’s construction year, 1748.

Tower and historic entrances

The center of Marciaso is also home to the tower, which is regarded as the only surviving evidence of the former manor house. Another historic remnant is the old entrance to Marciaso. After it was destroyed, three historic entrance arches remain visible. Thus, different architectural forms can be encountered in Marciaso: the tower represents the former manor house, while the arches are connected with the old entrance. The number three refers to the arches that are still visible, not to additional surviving parts of the manor house. During an individual visit to the village, the tower and entrance arches can be viewed as separate architectural traces, without equating the former manor house with the old entrance.

Square, Bardine, and Pontevecchio

The Bardine stream flows past Marciaso. Nearby Marciaso lies Pontevecchio, where nine stele statues were discovered. Those who consider Marciaso and its surroundings together can distinguish the stream’s course at the village from the discovery site in Pontevecchio. The nine stele statues belong to Pontevecchio and not to the square in front of the Oratorio. This distinction is helpful for spatial orientation during an individual visit: the Bardine flows past Marciaso, while the stele statues belong to Pontevecchio in the surrounding area.

More recent history

The more recent history of Marciaso includes partial reconstruction after the Second World War. Quakers or Mormons from the United States, who settled there, helped with this effort. In addition to reconstruction, this settlement brought a connection with people from the United States into the history of Marciaso.

Local cuisine and everyday life in Italy

The historic Trattoria Circolo Arci in Marciaso is part of the local everyday culture. Menus from the local gastronomic tradition are offered there. The Trattoria Circolo Arci places its own particular emphasis on menus from the local gastronomic tradition.

Travel via Fosdinovo

From Fosdinovo, Marciaso can be reached via Strada Provinciale 446 in the direction of Carrara. After approximately 4 km, turn left. The distance of approximately 4 km is an estimate, not an exact distance. For planning your own journey, the approximately four kilometers serve as a rough guide to the left turn; no driving time can be inferred from this.

Around Fosdinovo: Giucano, Carignano, Tendola and Borghetto-melara.

From Fosdinovo, the route leads to Marciaso.