Michelangelo in White

Carrara’s Precious Marbles

Carrara’s Precious Marbles

Route description

From the Carrara-Avenza railway station, take Via Petacchi as far as Viale XX Settembre; turn toward Carrara.

Near the center of Carrara, turn right into Via Don Minzoni, pass the intersection with the road to Massa, and continue up Via Erevan and then Via Codena.

Past the built-up area of Codena, bear right onto Via Bedizzano and continue on into the town. From Bedizzano, a 2-km uphill road leads to Colonnata from Colonnata, return down the same 2-km road and turn right at the fork toward Fantiscritti. Take the tunnel to the left and ride through the tunnels that take you to the famous “Ponti di Vara” viaducts, built for the steam-driven train that until the 1960s transported marble to the port of Marina di Carrara, whence it was shipped throughout the world. Another tunnel, to the right, takes you to Lorano, whence you continue for Torano and Carrara

Places of interest

Of great interest for sculpture enthusiasts are the many artistic workshops located in Carrara and the surrounding towns. The lookout over the marble fields is spectacular; the Galleria del Ravaccione underground quarry (Fantiscritti locality) and the Cava 177 quarry (on the Colonnata road) are open for visits.

Colonnata: This small town, set among the marble quarries, was an active marble extraction site even in Roman times. Don’t miss tasting the world-renowned cured lard in the town’s many picturesque shops.

Carrara: Academy of Fine Arts, Cathedral, Piazza Alberica, Museo di San Francesco, Marble Museum.