FORTE DEI MARMI
Forte dei Marmi, sited in the Versilia area ,one of the most exclusive and renowned resort zone located in Tuscany, it’s the ideal starting point for daily art cities excursions : Firenze, Pisa, Lucca Siena e Volterra,
Forte dei Marmi takes its name from the fortress that rises in the middle of the main square. That’s why the great artist Michelangelo designed a web of canals to carry the marble to the pier for shipping.
When in 1500 Michelangelo Buonarroti came in Versilia by order of the Pope LeoneX for the quarry of the Apuan marble, he was obliged to build a road,that reached the beach, from where workers could get aboard the blocks of marble. Along this road and closed to this first settlement on the beach, from 1618 a village – the earlier basis of Forte dei Marmi – began to take shape
The marble, true icon of this scenery, echoes also in the cloisters, the squares and contemporary art items dotting all this area.
ART&CULTURE
In the countryside surrounding Forte dei Marmi there is an architectural, historical and cultural heritage to be discovered,
Charming villages nestled in the valleys or perched at the top of hills offer an impressive view over the scenic Apuans Alps or the coast up to the «Golfo delle Cinque Terre».
Versilia is not only marble: thanks both to the subsoil abundant in iron minerals and to the initiative of some Florentine smelters masters who tranferred their activities on site were developed artistic bronze foundries. To those interested in the art we also recommend a visit to the craft and mosaic workshops where you can see how to build the most beautiful monuments that enrich and adorne the local streets and squares.
WELLNESS
For a relaxing Wellness break visit the Terme della Versilia located in Cinquale (just 3km from Forte dei Marmi) the ideal spot to regenerate yourself a few meters from the sea….
MUSIC&OPERA
Lovers of Music and Opera certainly will appreciate one of the most important cultural attractions of Versilia, the Festival Puccini. The festival was born from the desire of the master himself that revealed his intimate desire to see one of his works represented on the banks of the lake that so ispired him to compose.
So it was that in 1930, six years after his death, his friends staged for the first time in Torre del Lago “La Boheme”.
Since then every year, in the incredible natural scenery of the Lake Massaciuccoli,during the months of July and August is possible to relive all the most famous works of the master Giacomo Puccini.
Star of contemporary musical scene is Andrea Bocelli who every year organize a special concert in the suggestive scenery of “Teatro del Silenzio” (Theatre of Silence) in Lajatico, not far from Forte dei Marmi.
WINE & FOOD
Versilia offers a wide choice of savoury food&wine itinerary through which you can taste
local ingredients and products.
The undisputed protagonist is the Lardo di Colonnata, once food for quarry workers, today
exquisite cold cut renowned also abroad.
Its production is closely related to the local history and tradition since the bacon is laid,
covered with spices and herbs, in marble basins rubbed with garlic.
Here it is conserved and seasoned up to 6-10 months.
SHOPPING
FORTE DEI MARMI offers to fashion addicted exclusive boutiques of the most famous “Made in Italy” Fashion Designers as Armani, Gucci, Prada, Dolce&Gabbana, Versace etc that make the city a unique shopping area.
