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The most famous marble in the world is to be found in the mountains surrounding Carrara. Vast white spots blot the mountain peaks and, during the winter, can easily be mistaken for snow.
Visit the MARBLE MUSEUM and CULTURAL HERITAGE OF CARRARA CITY

Massa Carrara Marble Caves
"...ebbe tra 'bianchi marmi la spelonca per sua dimora; onde a guardar le stelle e 'l mar non li era veduta tronca." Dante Alighieri, La Divina Commedia.

Carrara is situated 100 m. above sea level at the foot of the Apuan Alps (Mount Pisanino 1,945 m.), near the confluence of the Carrione and Gragnana torrents, approximately 7 km. from the Tyrrhenian coastline. Of medieval origin, in 963 it was given by Otto I to the Bishops of Luni. Carrara later belonged to the Pisans, then, from the start of the 14th century, was ruled first by the Lucchese, then by the Genoese Republic and by the Scaligeris and Viscontis. In 1442 it became part of the Malaspina lands (Duchy of Massa and Carrara), sharing the fortunes of nearby Massa. Today the two cities form a single Province.

Academy of Fine Arts

Monuments: Duomo (Romanesque-Gothic, 11th-14th century, covered with marble, housing precious works of art), Palazzo Cybo-Malaspina (16th-18th century, Academy of Fine Arts), church of Carmine (17th century).

The economy of Carrara has for centuries been linked with the mining of the precious Carrara marble in the Apuan Alps, and is one of the world's major centres for marble production and exportation. The port of Marina di Carrara handles almost exclusively marble. Other industries here are engineering, textiles and chemicals. In summer there is also considerable tourist movement at Marina di Carrara.

Events: Annual Marble Machinery Fair, held with other commodity fairs which alternate in the Fair area.

Famous People: Pellegrino Rossi (politician, 1787-1848), Pietro Tacca (sculptor, 1577-1640), Pietro Fontana (sculptor, 1787-1858), Pietro Tenerani (sculptor, 1789-1869), the Bergaminis (family of sculptors, active in the 16th-18th centuries).

Cultural Institutions: Academy of Fine Arts, with art gallery, Teatro degli Animosi, School of Marble, National Marble Exhibition (conserving the Edicola dei Fantiscritti' sculpted Roman pagan altar, found in the cave of the same name.

Carrara lies at the foot of the Apuan Alps, in a little valley crossed by Carrione stream, and is considered a world centre for the production and the trade of marble. The most valuable and symbolic work of the town is the cathedral, a wonderful marble building in two colours (white and dark), which conserves inside important sculptures and Renaissance decorations. Outside is situated a 16th century fountain with the statue of Andrea Doria, represented as Neptune. The fountain is ascribed to Braccio Brandinelli.
Repetti house and the first nucleus of the Academy of Fine Arts, which was later modified and considerably enlarged, also belong to the Gothic Age. Alberica Square with the beautiful Palace of Medico and the stately Palace of the Loggias dates back to the 17th century. In the 1800s the two city theatres ( picturesque the Animosi one, which was built with a public subscription) and the monuments in memory of renowned personages were erected. Carrara owes its life to marble: here famous and actives sculptors were born in every age even in the farthest districts. The city gives hospitality, today as in the past, to more or less important artists coming from all over the world and representing a numerous, silent but active colony.
In the marvellous Alberica Square, the "International Symposium of Sculpture" rose: every year between July and August about 20 or 30 sculptors coming from all over the world who carve their works in front of a numerous and careful public.

Carrara vara bridge

The province of Massa Carrara, in the northern part of Tuscany, is a small plot of land where nature has been very generous with its gifts.

The main protagonists of the natural beauties are the sea and the Apuane Alps. Ten kilometres of very fine sand: Marina di Carrara, Marina di Massa, Ronchi and Cinquale di Montignoso are very attractive beaches, suitable for family tourism.

In the North, among the hills, at the bottom of the Apuane, is Massa, sixteen-century signory of the Malaspina family, which developed on the medieval centre overlooked by the castle and still rich in valuable monuments. Beyon the town, the mountains hold a treasure loved by sculptors of all times.

Between the Apuane and the Appennines, at the border of three regions (Tuscany, Emilia and Liguria), lies a wonderful land: the Lunigiana It is an ancient land, full of history and traditions, where the several castles, the medieval hamlets and the Romanesque style parish churches are the typical elements of an ever changing but always gentle and relaxing landscape.