From the 15th to the 19th century , Massa was the capital of the independent Principate ( later Duchy ) of Massa and Carrara , controlled and ruled by the Malaspina and Cybo-Malaspina families . From the 15th to the 19th century , Massa was the capital of the independent Principate ( later Duchy ) of Massa and Carrara , ruled by the Malaspina and Cybo-Malaspina families .