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http://www.massamarittima.info/arte/indexuk.htm Siennese Fortress and Chandelier Tower The Siennese Fortress and the Chandelier Tower, linked together by an arch called the Siennese Arch, are a splendid example of medieval architecture. Built according to a drawing by Master Angiolo di Ventura, they are situated near to the Monteregio’s Castle that was later restructured and today is the seat of the Museum of Agricultural Civilization. The Siennese government used this fortress to divide the people of Massa so that they could not stand up against the invader. The Chandelier Tower was built in 1228 by the Free State of Massa. It is now 74 metres high, having had its original height reduced by 1/3 when Sienna conquered Massa, as a sign of Massa’s submission to Sienna. It was at this time that Sienna built the majestic flying arch, 21.35 metres in length, that connects the fortress’ ramparts to the Chandelier Tower. It is interesting to note that to build it, the whole structure was first built and then the hill underneath it excavated.
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The Tuscany, one of the most beautiful Italian regions, is known throughout the world for its Landscapes and for the Works of Art that it houses (It is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance). Six localities have been designated World Heritage Sites: the Historical Center of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Pienza, the Square of the Cathedral of Pisa with the Leaning Tower and the Val d'Orcia. It is in the central Italy and borders with Emilia Romagna (north), Marche and Umbria (east) and Lazio (South). The West coast is bathed from the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Sea; here we can find the islands of the Tuscan archipelago including the island of Elba. The regional capital is Florence and the other provinces are: Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena.
