Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
We've compiled the best of the best in Carrara - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Carrara became a hotbed for anarchism, and, during World War II, it fiercely resisted the Nazis. The town is still lively, with a good number of bars and cafés in many of its squares, thanks, in part, to its art institute. The Accademia di Belle Arti, founded by Maria Teresa Cybo Malaspina d'Este in 1769, draws studio art students from all over Italy.
Dedicated to St. Andrew, this is the first medieval church built entirely of marble, most of it quarried in the area. It was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries, so its facade is an intriguing mix of Romanesque and Gothic. Of particular note are the human figures and animals on Corinthian capitals.
The area around Carrara has a lot of still-active quarries—well over 100 at last count. Most of them aren't open to the public for safety reasons. However, it is possible to tour specific marble caves. The Carrara tourism office has details about which areas you can visit.
The lovely baroque church of San Francesco is a study in understated elegance. It dates from the 1620s to 1660s, and, even though it was built during the peak years of the baroque, the only excess can be found in the twisting marble columns embellishing the altars.
