Carrara is one of the most famous towns in Tuscany. Although it does not have the most famous tourist attractions itself, it is the place where much of the white marble that was used for the famous monuments in Rome and other tourist destinations, came from. It is one of the two capitals of the province of Massa-Carrara.
Carrara travel guide
Useful information
Tourist office: Viale XX Settembre – Carrara (tel. +39 0585 84 41 36; hours 8.30 to 16.30 in summer and 09.00 to 16.00 Friday to Sunday in winter). Postal code: 54033. Zip code: 0585.
Public transport: Carrara has its own railway station.
Nearest airport: Pisa.
Tourist attractions
Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, the cathedral of Carrara is characterized by alternating white and gray stripes of marble. Inside the church are a number of beautiful marble statues.
The Palazzo Cybo Malaspina houses the Accademia di Belle Arti. The highlight of this museum is the Edicola dei Fantiscritti, an ancient Roman altar.
It would be strange if a city like Carrara did not have a museum dedicated to marble. The Museo Civico di Marmo has been in existence since 1982.
The Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie.
A brief history of Carrara
As early as the imperial period, marble was the main source of income for the population of Carrara. Different types of marble extracted in the region include paonozzo, bardiglio, fior di pesco, apuano, medicea and breccia violetta.
An important period in the history of the town is the period between 1442 and 1741, when it formed a state together with Massa. The family in control at that time was called Malaspina. Before that, the city was owned by a succession of feudal lords.
How to get to Carrara by car
Carrara is located near the coast in the province of Massa-Carrara, slightly closer to Pisa than to Genoa, on the edge of the Apuan Alps. By car it is easily reached from both places via the A12 motorway.