Carrara Tourist Attractions
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SituationCarrara lies in an enclosed valley on the western slopes of the Apuan Alps (nature reserve), near the northern Tuscan coast.The townAlthough Carrara has traditions going back to pre-Roman times it is predominantly a modern town. In Via Roma is the Accadémia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Art), founded by Maria Teresa Cybo in 1769; visitors are admitted with the Director's permission.
Cathedral
In the north of Carrara is the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea (11th-14th century), with a fine Romanesque and Gothic facade, the lower part of which consists of half-columns and pointed arches; the center part of the doorway is richly decorated. Inside note the multicolored marble pulpit, the 14th century "Annunciation of Our Lady" and other marble sculptures. There are fine views from the bell-tower.
Marble Museum
Southwest of Carrara's center is the Museo Civico del Marmo (Municipal Marble Museum) with six departments, demonstrating the history of marble, from antiquity to its present-day artistic and technical uses.
Academy of Fine Art
To the south, in Via Roma, the town's principal street, is the Accademia di Belle Arti, with pictures and marble sculptures. 500m/550yd west of the cathedral is the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie, with sumptuous marble decoration.
Surroundings
The surroundings of Carrara include Massa and the town of Pietrasanta.
Marble Quarries
Carrara is famous for the 400 marble quarries around the town which provide employment for most of its population. Every tourist should visit the marble quarries in the three valleys which meet at Carrara, the Colonnata, Fantiscritti and Ravaccione valleys. They can be reached on reasonably good roads. The quarries were already being worked in Roman times, but achieved their widest fame through Michelangelo, who greatly prized the marble of Carrara. Particularly impressive are the quarries at Piastre (4km/2.5mi east), which yield the fine marmo statuario. The marble is shipped from the nearby Mediterranean ports (Marina di Carrara, e.g.) to places all over the world. The stonemasons' workshops are of great interest.
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