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Aulla

Aulla (ZIP code 54011) is 37,4 kilometers far from Massa-Carrara, that is the Chief Town of the homonymous province to whom the municipality belongs.

Photo © Wikipedia The town of Aulla

Aulla has a population of 10.175 inhabitants (Aullesi) and a surface of 59,75 square kilometers thus showing a population density of 170,29 inhabitants per square kilometer. It rises 64 metres above the sea level.

The City Hall is located in Piazza Gramsci, phone ++39 0187 - 4001, fax ++39 0187 - 400218: the E-Mail address is ragioneria@comune.aulla.ms.it.

Population: The municipality of Aulla had a popolation of 10.164 inhabitants accordingly to the results of the national census made in 1991. After the national census made in 2001 the population was 10.175 inhabitants, thus showing during the years 1991 - 2001 a percentual variation of 0,11% inhabitants.

The inhabitants are distributed in 4.145 families with an average of 2,45 people per family.

The place: The territory of the municipality lies between 24 and 665 metres above sea level.

The altimetric spawn is thus of 641 metres.

Work and workers:There are 223 industrial firms employing 831 people that are the 20,28% of the total of the workers. There are 376 service firms employing 791 people that are the 19,31% of the total of the workers. There are also 337 firms employing 1.155 people that are the 28,19% of the total of the workers. There are also 110 administrative offices emplying 1.320 workers that are the 32,22% of the total of the workers.

There is a total of 4.097 workers, that are the 40,27% of the inhabitants of the municipality.

Aulla rises nearby the confluence of the Magra and Aulella rivers, in the so called area of the Lunigiana.

The local economy is mainly based on the agricultural productions of cereals, vegetables and on the vine cultivation. Remarkable is also the activity of some factories producing home furnitures.

Photo © Wikipedia The church of San Caprasio

The place name probably comes from the Latin words "lacus, lacuna" with the meaning of "lake".

The real consolidation of the residential settlements in Aulla goes back to 884, when the Saint Caprasio Abbey was built for the will of the Marquis Adalberto of Tuscany. Around the abbey the religious community of Aulla formed.

During the Middle Ages the Saint Caprasio Abbey became one of the most influential religious centre in the Lunigiana. At that same time Aulla subdued the consequences of the rivalries between the local family of Malaspina and the Bishops of Luni, who wanted to extend their jurisdiction to the Saint Caprasio Abbey.

Those conflicts lasted until 1217, when Onorio III assigned the abbey to the Bishops of Luni.

During the XIV-th century Aulla experienced a heavy economic crisis lasted until the XV-th century, when the town passed to the domination of the Campofregoso's family from Genoa. The Campofregoso transformed Aulla in a fortified stronghold of the Republic of Genoa, along the so called "Via Francigena".

During the XVI-th century the village of Aulla still carried out agricultural activities, because of the "Via Francigena" did not give so many economic benefits.

Photo © Wikipedia Fortezza della Brunella

In 1522 the village of Aulla was bought by the commander Giovanni delle Bande Nere, who made the imposing Fortress of Brunella built.

Later the Centurione's family got the properties of the abbey, on which they already had the power to nominate the vice abbot and the priests. The Centuriones also ended the building of the fortress.

During the XVI-th century Aulla entered the Florentine Republic. At the end of the XVIII-th century the town became a Podestà's seat of the Tuscan Grand Dukedom and it was under the Tuscan Grand Dukedom jurisdiction up to the Unity of Italy, occurred on 1861 by the action of the King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoia.

Among the most interesting monuments to see in Aulla we point out here the Abbazia di San Caprasio (Saint Caprasio Abbey) and the Fortezza della Brunella (Fortress of Brunella).

Among the numerous celebrations periodically taking place in Aulla we point out the traditional "Festa Gastronomica" (Gastronomic Party) held on the middle of August. During the celebration it is also possible to taste some typical local courses.