Due to their extremely close location to one another, Carrara and Pietrasanta are classified as one single province. However they are still two completely different cities in terms of culture, activities and education. Carrara, has always been known for its refined marble, testimony to the city's Medieval background. Whereas, Pietrasanta, is a small town in the province of Lucca and is one of Italy's most famous towns for the production of marble sculpture. The name of the town, literally translated means "sacred rock", and with good reason
Pietrasanta has served as a sanctuary for international sculptors and artists for six centuries and it was here, in the lofty quarters of the city’s palazzi, that Michelangelo, Henry Moore, and, more recently, Fernando Botero chose to set up their residence, in part due to the town’s proximity to the marble quarries of Carrara. The season for some of the towns most prolific gallery exhibitions is from June through September. Pietrasanta, however, is more than simply an artists’ colony
Carrara, on the other hand, has managed to conserve much more evidence of its own ancient background despite being in close proximity the Malaspina. For example, Via Santa Maria, which branches from the spacious piazza where the Academy of Beautiful Arts is located, is a great example of the city's success in maintaining its original Medieval structure.
The city's cathedral is very unique in that it consists of a combination of many different styles of architecture. Started in the 11th century and finished in the XIV, it has a façade which shows clear evidence of two different phases of construction: there's a part with a solid Romanesque base and one part that's very light, with fine thin columns and Gothic style arches.
The art of stone masonry has long been a traditional trade of this Tuscan province. Carrara in particular is famous all over the world for its white marble (whose origins date back to Etruscan times) which is derived from the many marble caves in the area. The trade generated through the commercial activity involving the marble has always been a source of great income to the city Have you ever wondered where such great sculptors like Michelangelo, Bernini, Canova found their precious materials to create those beautiful works of art like the David, St.Peter’s or Paulina Borghese?
Well, the answer is in this journey through the natural beauties of the Apuane Alps, and more precisely to the town of Carrara. Our destination is 1 and half hour west of Florence, along the etruscan coast. We will notice getting closer to the coast by the brighter light which sorrounds us as we leave the metropolitan area and approach the coastal plain.
But all of a sudden, we will be facing the Apuane Alps. Although they are called so, they belong to The appennines’ mountain chain. The name alps was given to them because of their geological age which is much older than the appennines.
They are a paradise for the daredevil climbers. Many of them do not make it back though as they venture to their top. We will leave highway A11 to reach the town of Carrara. This is a town of 65.000 people, most famous for its cathedral. Completely decorated with the local marble, it dates back to the Xith century. The word Carrara comes from the local’s dialect way of naming a stone (Kar). After a first stop to admire this unique piece of art, we will drive up to the top of the mountain.Most precisely to the Fantiscritti quarry. Fanti Scritti. means "childrens’ drawings".
This is what the romans found more than two thousand years ago as they first approached these mountains. It is still a mistery where those drawings came from. What is certain though is that the romans were the first ones to discover the importance of these crystalized mineral salts. They would cut the mountain with diamond stones. The only material resistant enough to go through the stone. The blocks would be placed on carts driven by oxes and off they went to the seaport of Marina di Carrara. ¾ of the marble found in Rome until the Vth century came from here. We will visit the open air marble museum.
Situated right at the feet of the quarries, it is a unique description of the life, traditions and history of the quarrymen. We will admire many art pieces in marble all relative to the use of this material. A stop at the local crafts’shop is definitely recommended as the marble pieces you find here will have a special place among your souvenirs.
The drive up to the quarries is just breaktaking; so is the downhill one with the sea in the background. No surprise that many people say that this should be considered one of the world’s seven wonders. It is now lunch time. We will drive to the coast of Carrara; more precisely to the resort area of Viareggio in the Versilia district. Our lunch stop will be at the beach club of the most fascinating hotel in town; where you can indulge in all the most exquisite sea food while relaxing by the pool with the spectacular views of the sea and sands. After lunch we will take a stroll along the boardwalk.
This is the locals’ favourite passtime especially around carnival time when the papier-mache costume machines parade along it. This , together with the one in Venice is the most famous carnival in Italy. Every single costume mocks the local and non-local politicians, and everyone waits to see who is going to be targetted next.
Driving by the boardwalk we will admire the 18een hundreds homes and beach clubs which saw so many generations of youths spending their summers here in search of thrills and adventures. Something to bring back home after a long , tiring happy day. Just like ours-At least we like to think so.
   
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