In the northen-western area of Tuscany, at the borders with Liguria and Emilia, lies Carrara, famous all over the world for its valued white marble. It is the town of white marble, of the contrasts between the colours of the Alps and the sea and of the many artists, who, through the years, have chosen its fabulous marble to realize the most beautiful artistical works in the world. A small town, which is characterized also by its inhabitants: anarchical spirits (simple people but great workers,because working in the quarries “is no kidding!”) with a great personality, talking a particolar dialect (called “carrarino” and not “carrarese”as it should be in correct italian language) which does not even resemble the “classical” Tuscan.

The marble quarries are situated on the Apuan Alps overhanging Carrara and in a great part of the territory of Versilia. The marble basins had been exploited since the roman age, when huge stone blocks, loaded on big ships, sailed from the port of Luni to Rome. From those blocks were born architectural works and every kind of sculptures which were placed all over the Roman Empire and, today, all over the world.

The name “Carrara” probably comes from the ancient word “Kar” which means “stone”. The town has medieval origins: in that period, because of the decadence of the port of Luni and the menace of the barbaric invasion, the populations were compelled to move towards the inland. Carrara is surrounded by small mountain towns, in which, in particular in the last century, the quarrymen lived. Carrara reveals a stunning contrast to the tourist’s eyes: a sea town surrounded by white mountains, which are often believed covered of snow, instead of made of marble.

The port of Marina di Carrara – one of the most famous and dynamic port of Italy- is the most important port in the world for the loading and unloading of marbles and granites. Along the coast several bathing establishments colour the golden beaches, framed by green pine-woods, which surround also the huge expository area of the town. In this area are prepared several fairs and reviews, the most important of which is the "International Fair for Marble Machinery and Services" hosting every year a great number of operators of this area from all over the world. So, Carrara has became a world-wide fame centre of trade and manufacture of marble. Students from every part of the world attend the lessons of the Academy of Fine Arts, founded in the far 1757 by Maria Teresa Cybo, Duchess of Malaspina, where there is a qualified school of sculpture.

Sightseeing in Carrara

• Piazza Alberica. It represents the heart of the town. At its centre it is possible to see the statue of Maria Beatrice d'Este, beloved queen by the population of Carrara. In the perimeter lie refined buildings of the XVII and XVIII century among which it is particularly beautiful the red coloured “Palazzo del Medico”.
• The Dome, a precious building, which has been started in the XI century and finished after three houndred years. It has a rectangular plant with a nave and two aisles and it is built in different styles, among which the roman and the gothic ones. The front with its wonderful marble rosette is particularly valued as the many inner details as the marble statue of St.Maddalena and Lucia, various kinds of holy-water fonts, the pulpit made of coloured marbles, the main altar of the “Santissimo Sacramento”, a nice wooden Crucified of the XIII century, the fresco paintings on the walls at the sides of the altar and other wooden statues.
• The Santuario delle Grazie, of the XVII century. Its front has a modern lining, but the inside is sumptuous and baroque. The altars are particularly beautiful.
• The Academy of Fine Arts, a tall building with wide rooms, hosting today a rich gallery of plaster, showing collections and plaster moulds of masterpieces as the statue of “Napoleon the Great” by Canova.

Walking in Carrara

• The visit to the marble quarries is particularly charming, showing steep and evocative landscapes and a wonderful panoramic view of the town and its coast.
• Walking through the streets of the historical centre, it is possibile to see the “Maestà”, the typical devotional bas-reliefs, spread after the Council of Trent.
• A visit to the many laboratories of our marble masters. Along Carrara’s streets and in some small towns of the neighbourhood, it is possible to observe the artisans working in their laboratories, where huge marble bloks become sculptures and decorative objects.
• A walk through the many small lanes in the ancient part of the town, smelling the flavours of an unusual part of Tuscany.