Carrara Marble Quarries

Marble quarries located at the top of the mountains form the background of the town of Carrara. This is where the famous marble has been excavated since Roman times. Due to the way in which the marble is taken, the large spaces, the symmetrical precision of the excavations and the shape of the worktops, the mountains have been transformed into spectacular terraced amphitheaters.​

Marble quarries located at the top of the mountains form the background of the town of Carrara. This is where the famous marble has been excavated since Roman times. Due to the way in which the marble is taken, the large spaces, the symmetrical precision of the excavations and the shape of the worktops, the mountains have been transformed into spectacular terraced amphitheaters. Seen from above, with the view over the sea, they boast a spectacular beauty.

The tradition of marble quarrying in the spectacular setting of the Apuan Alps is very ancient, probably started during the Iron Age by the Ligurian People, as witnessed by the necropolis of Cafaggio in Ameglia, close to Luna. This site dates back to the 4th century BC and has white marble deposits and rudimentary cover cases composed of recycled materials; including among them, marble fragments. The mining activity was developed by the Romans, especially under Julius Caesar (48-44 BC). The most ancient quarries were located in the basins of Torano and Colonnata, of which not much remains since the mining activity that continued over centuries caused their progressive destruction. The export and trading took place through the port of Luni, which is the reason why white marble, in archeology, is often called "Luni Marble".

Where Are You?
Apuan Alps and Upper Tuscany coast

Carrara Marble Quarries

Carrara Marble Quarries
Carrara and the marble quarries Apuan Alps Park Massa

Carrara and the marble quarries

The city of Carrara, its mountain background and its outlet to the sea, its marble culture, its Tuscan style.

Apuan Alps Park

Ancient marble quarries to visit, the same where Michelangelo would find the raw material for his artwork, and large green areas to be outdoor.

Massa

Massa and Forte dei Marmi, caskets in which to get lost among jewels of art and architecture.

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CARRARA AND MARBLE QUARRIES

A vivid city and its white marble background, with interesting ancient quarries.

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FORTE DEI MARMI

A charming medieval city, with magnificent squares and stunning architecture.

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MASSA

Massa e il potere malaspiniano, rappresentato in una magnifica fortezza.

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SANT'ANNA DI STAZZEMA

A tragic story in a beautiful village in the mountains, now a national park of peace.

The Carrara marble Quarries Basins

The Torano Basin​​

Torano is the most ancient of the Carrara Quarries, as shown by the strong fragmentation of many sections of the mountain. It owes its name to the quaint village located not far from the excavation site.

The Colonnata Basin

An ancient village perched in the mountains covered with marble, where is produced one of the delights of Tuscany, the Colonnata lard. Time seems to have stopped in Colonnata. This former marble mining center has existed since Roman times. It owes its name to the fact that marble extracted from its quarries was used to build the columns of Roman buildings.

The Fantiscritti Basin

It constitutes the heart of the Carrara marble deposits just above the hamlet of Miseglia. The suggestive views of the Ponti di Vara is a classic of the Carrara quarries, both at day an night, when the moon deepens the shadows and the suffused light of the rocks.

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La Région des Alpes Apuanes

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