Carrara marble is one of the most emblematic resources of Tuscany.
It is universally known as one of the finest marbles, thanks to its homogenous background which varies from white to grey. This precious mineral is extracted from the Carrara quarries, which are located among the Apuan Alps.
History of Carrara Marble
The marble of Carrara has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. The Romans used it for the most remarkable buildings in Rome and patrician residences. It was exported by sea, from the port of Luni, for this reason the Romans also called it “Pietra di Luni” (Luni marble). Over the centuries this material has attracted the attention of numerous artists and patrons, such as Nicola Pisano who personally selected the marble for the construction of a part of the Siena Cathedral in 1256. The most successful century of Carrara marble was the 1400s, in which many artists such as Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo chose it to create their masterpieces.
A significant example is Michelangelo’s journey to the Carrara quarries in 1497. He went there personally to find the “purest marble” in order to create what would have become two of the most important sculptures of Italian culture: the David and the Pietà.
Today, it has become a very versatile material, giving prestige on every occasion of use. Its beauty makes it particularly suitable for the creation of furniture, urban and building elements, as well as for art pieces.
It is also successfully used to preserve food. In fact, the basins used for seasoning the Lardo di Colonnata are in marble. The mortars for pounding the typical ingredients of Genoese pesto, are also made of marble.