The rain kept us from the marble mountains this fall but we have been through the Carrara and love the drive. Over 300 quarries that date back to Roman times and mostly famous for the fact that Michelangelo used this marble for David and other famous works. There are many shops/workshops along the way to buy some precious gifts, trinkets or larger items. The white white white marble is an amazing site and sunglasses are required. Head towards Viareggio from Pisa or Lucca and follow the drive up the coast then follow the signs towards the Cave di Marmo. You can tour the interior caves via Jeeps and vans and you will see a the signs marking those companies. There is even a Marble Museum (of course) in Carrara explaining the techniques and crafting of marble, named Museo Civico del Marmo. It is worth stopping at the town’s Duomo and searching for Michelangelo’s home. It is marked by a plaque and picture of his carving tools.
A visit to Florence brings all the above information together. You see the lovely marble on the Cathedral-(The Santa Maria del Fiore), the statue’s in Plazzo Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria, and of course the David.
Looking at the Cathedral, also called the Duomo, fine marble details are almost overwhelmiing. You have to stop and take a moment to take it all it…
The Cathedral marble facade…
Details around a door…
The colors around the detailed Saints…
Marble in Piazza della Signoria…like Michelangelo, Giambologna carved the Sabine Women from a flawed peice of marble.
A copy of David in same Piazza….Michelangelo had saved the marble that was used for David for a few years. That same peice had been turned down by many others, including Da Vinci.
Detailed marble family crests line the Duomo serving as crown molding like decor.
Another sunny day at the Duomo…
Marble Mountains in Carrara…
