Versilia in TascaCarrara marble quarries and Colonnata: how to plan the trip
The marble you see in Versilia's squares comes from here: a white mountain cut into terraces, where quarrymen have worked for over two thousand years.
The quarries
The Carrara quarries are grouped into basins; Fantiscritti is the most visited. Many operators run 4x4 jeep tours inside working quarries, explaining extraction methods from diamond wire to blocks. Tradition has it that Michelangelo also came up here to choose blocks for his sculptures.
From afar they look like snowfields: they are marble walls cut by hand and machine for over two thousand years.
Colonnata and its lardo
The village of Colonnata, above the quarries, is famous for Lardo di Colonnata IGP: pork fat cured in marble tubs called conche, layered with salt, garlic, rosemary and pepper, for about six months. Many tours end with a tasting in a village larderia.
Practical tips
- Book with an authorised operator: you can't enter working quarries on your own.
- Closed shoes and a hat: in summer the marble reflects the sun.
- Combine the trip with a stop in Pietrasanta, where marble becomes sculpture.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Carrara quarries?
Yes, on organised tours, often by jeep, in the Fantiscritti basin and others.
What is Lardo di Colonnata?
An IGP cured pork fat aged in marble tubs with salt, garlic, rosemary and pepper.
Sources: Visit Tuscany – tra lardo e marmo, Visit Riviera Apuana – Lardo di Colonnata. General information: opening times, prices and dates change, so always check the official websites.
