Pietrasanta

PICTURESQUE MEDIEVAL TOWN BETWEEN THE SEA AND THE ALPS

Pietrasanta is a major agricultural town with industrial activities, mainly in the field of mining and processing of marble, located between the Apuan Alps and the Versilia coast.

The keep was built in 1100 and around its walls was created a first settlement; in 1255, after a fire, the Mayor of Lucca he was engaged in the construction of the new village. Pietrasanta in 1513 became a dominion of the doctors.

In the charming "Piazza del Duomo", enriched by a 16th century fountain and the monument to Leopold II, the Duomo and the "Chiesa di San Agostino".

The Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Martin, was built between the 13th and 14th centuries. The façade is open the rose window of the Riccomanni and three portals decorated with reliefs of the Pisan school. The tower block and unfinished is the 1400-1500. In the tripartite interior there are two fonts and two candlesticks by Stagio Stagi. The 16th century pulpit and choir are works of Lorenzo Stagi. Turns out to be of great value also the painting of the Madonna with Saints, located in the Chapel to the right of the major.

The "Chiesa di Sant'Agostino", instead, was built in the 14th century and is decorated with a marble façade divided by arches surmounted by a series of Gothic arches.

Pietrasanta, today, is a benchmark for contemporary art. Internationally renowned artists come to the town to work marble and bronze in numerous laboratories active near the cave. The old town is full of sculptures that are made with these precious materials.

 

Traditions and Typical produkte

The extraction of marble in the quarries of Pietrasanta dates back to ancient times, it was here that Michelangelo made her pull out of blocks of marble to create his works. At the so-called "ferriere" special working tools were produced this rock. The tool in question were made using iron ores extracted from underground.

 

Photo Credits [francigenanews.com]