Carrara, Marble quarrying center in Tuscany, Italy
Carrara is a town in the Province of Massa-Carrara in Tuscany where quarrying white stone has shaped daily life for centuries. The quarries climb the flanks of the Apuan Alps, and from many streets you see the pale scars cut into the mountain.
Roman settlers began using the quarries in the second century before Christ and hauled blocks through the port of Luni to many parts of the empire. During the medieval and Renaissance periods extraction remained central, and sculptors from across Europe traveled here to select material for their works.
In workshops across town, visitors watch artisans working with hammer and chisel, a practice many families have carried on for generations. The names of quarries on the surrounding slopes – Fantiscritti, Colonnata, Torano – recur in conversation, as each yields stone with different qualities of whiteness.
The workshops and museums lie mostly in the center and are easy to reach on foot, while the quarries in the mountains require winding roads to reach. Visitors planning to see the higher quarries should wear sturdy shoes and expect steep paths that can be slippery.
The village of Colonnata, above the town, is known for its bacon cured in basins carved from local stone that lend the meat a particular taste. Stoneworkers in the area still maintain the tradition of carving each basin by hand and storing them in cool cellars.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Malaspina Castle
6.6 km
Carrara Cathedral
374 m
Massa Cathedral
6.2 km
Monte Sagro
6 km
Palazzo Ducale
6.2 km
Villa Massoni
6.5 km
Roman Amphitheatre of Luna
6.6 km
Cave di Fantiscritti
2.8 km
Museo di Fantiscritti
2.8 km
Porto Marina Di Carrara
7.4 km
Castello Malaspina
542 m
Torre di Castruccio
5 km
Monte Borla
4.9 km
Museo civico del marmo di Carrara
2.9 km
Palazzo della Banca d'Italia
6.3 km
Fontana del Gigante
399 m
Nostra Signora del Mirteto
3.7 km
San Sebastiano (Massa)
6 km
Carmine Church
545 mForte Bastione
5.6 km
Palazzo delle Poste (Carrara)
905 m
Palazzo delle Poste de Massa
6.3 km
Spiaggia libera
7.4 km
Diocesan Museum of Massa
6.3 km
Villa Corsi
6.4 km
Madonna delle Lacrime
320 m
Chiesa di San Martino
5.5 km
San Ceccardo ad aquas
1.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes