One day tour from Lucca: Pietrasanta and Colonnata

Your first stop is Pietrasanta, a town that for centuries has attracted artists and sculptors from all over the world. As you wander through its elegant streets, you will discover contemporary art galleries, artisan workshops where marble and bronze works take shape, and Piazza del Duomo, which feels like an open-air sitting room.
Pietrasanta’s bond with art has deep roots: the nearby Carrara marble quarries supplied raw material to masters such as Michelangelo, Bernini and Henry Moore. That tradition continues today, and it is not unusual to encounter contemporary sculptures displayed throughout the historic centre or to glimpse artists at work in studios where time-honoured techniques are still used.
Spend the morning visiting the Museo dei Bozzetti, home to preparatory models for sculptures, then pause for a coffee in Piazza del Duomo, where life seems to move at a gentler pace. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, perfect for immersing yourself in the creativity that permeates every corner.

Continuing towards the mountains, a short detour brings you to Seravezza, a peaceful village at the foot of the Apuan Alps. Here, in the sixteenth century, the Medici family built their summer residence, the Palazzo Mediceo, which today hosts exhibitions and cultural events.
At first glance, Seravezza may seem like a quiet provincial town, yet it holds a fascinating history: it was here that Michelangelo personally selected the marble blocks for his works. The bridge over the stream and the contemporary sculptures scattered around the centre serve as reminders that you are in the heart of a region where marble has long been regarded as Tuscany’s “white gold”.

The final stop on our tour is Colonnata, a village that feels suspended in time, embraced by mountains of white marble that gleam in the sunlight. The surrounding quarries have for centuries been the workplace of generations of quarrymen, men who challenged the mountain to extract some of the world’s finest marble.
Colonnata is best known for its lardo, a unique delicacy born of necessity: quarrymen needed nourishing, high-energy food to sustain them through long working days. Lardo di Colonnata is matured for at least six months in marble vats with sea salt, pepper and spices. The result is a creamy, aromatic delicacy that melts in the mouth.
In the small historic centre you will find traditional trattorias where you can taste lardo in many forms: on warm toasted bread, paired with chestnut honey, or simply served on its own. The Antica Larderia Mafalda, the oldest in the village, is a landmark for anyone wishing to discover this tradition.
Do not miss the “Cristo dei Cavatori”, a moving contemporary sculpture commemorating those who lost their lives in the quarries, and the small Church of San Bartolomeo, whose interior glistens with white marble. If time allows, you can also visit the marble quarries on guided tours that take you deep into vast underground caverns — an experience that reveals both the grandeur and the harshness of this ancient craft.

Book your stay at Hotel Ilaria and discover Tuscany’s marble and artistic heritage through surprising one-day tours, all within easy reach of our hotel.