Rifugio Antiaereo Martana

Massa Air Raid Shelters

Useful Information

Location:	Massa, near La Spezia, south of Genoa. Entrance from Via Prado.
Open:	On special occasions, local festivities and after appointment. [2010]
Fee:	free. [2010]
Classification:	World War II Bunker
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=300 m.
Guided tours:	L=300 m, V=3,000/a [2009]
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Associazione Culturale Sancio Pancia, Via Sottoponte 3, Massa, Tel: 253783-3485412206. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1942	use as air raid shelter.
15-SEP-1944	city was evacuated.
1945	abandoned.
03-JUN-2006	first stage of renovation completed and inaugurated.
2007	Massa Congress for study of WWII air raid shelters.

Description

The Rifugio Antiaereo Martana (Air Raid Shelter Martana) was renovated by the city council since 2006. It is now operated by the non-profit organization Associazione Sancio Pancia di Massa.

During World War II former wine cellars and other cellars were extended to create air raid shelters. One of those bunkers is renovated and open to the public. It has entrances from Via Bigini, Via Prado, and Piazza Martana.

Massa is located only 5 km from Carrara, the rocks below the city are composed of fine marble similar to that at Carrara. In autumn 2007 the city of Massa was the location of the Massa Congress for study of WWII air raid shelters, organized by the National Federation of Artificial Cavities (FNCA).