The name of Forte dei Marmi itself, located in the heart of Versilia, tells the story of the origin of the town, all grouped around the fortress that dominates the main square.
The village, that many years later took the name of Forte dei Marmi, actually arose in the sixteenth century, when Michelangelo Buonarroti came to Versilia to extract marble on the orders of Pope Leo X de’ Medici.
For the occasion, the artist started the construction of the Strada della Marina - specifically to transport the marble blocks from the quarries to the embarkation place on the beach.
ART&CULTURE
An architectural, historical and cultural patrimony waiting to be discovered exists in the surroundings: from the enchanting villages located in the valleys or perched on the peaks of the Apuan Alps to the breathtaking scenery of the mountains and the coast up to the Gulf of Cinque Terre.
Versilia, however, is not just marble: thanks to the subsoil rich in ferrous minerals, artistic bronze foundries developed - on the initiative of several Florentine master foundrymen who transferred their activities there.
Along with these and the various artistic mosaic workshops, for those interested in art we also recommend a visit to the various artisan workshops, where you can see how the most beautiful monuments that enrich numerous squares around the world are built.
WELLNESS
For a break dedicated to relaxation and well-being, we recommend the Thermal Baths of Versilia in Cinquale (3km from Forte dei Marmi) a few metres from the sea or the Montecatini Terme area with its incredible “Grotta Giusti”.
MUSIC&OPERA
Enthusiasts will undoubtedly appreciate one of the most important cultural attractions in Versilia, the Puccini Festival. The event emerged from the wish of the maestro himself, who repeatedly expressed the heartfelt desire to hear the sound of one his operas being played on the shores of the lake that inspired him so much when composing. So it was that, in 1930, “La Bohème” was staged for the very first time in Torre del Lago. Since then, every year in July and August, on the incredible natural stage offered by Lake Massaciuccoli, you can relive all of the maestro’s most famous operas.
Then there’s Andrea Bocelli, contemporary star of the opera and of the national and international musical scene, who performs a special concert every year in the evocative “Theatre of Silence” in Lajatico, the village where he was born, not far from Forte dei Marmi.
FOOD AND WINE
There’s no shortage of tasty food and wine itineraries for discovering typical ingredients and products, among which the undisputed protagonist is Lardo di Colonnata, once a sandwich filler for the quarry workers, now a fine quality cured meat also known outside Italy.
But that’s not all... there are cured meats and cheeses from the surrounding areas all the way to the Bolgheri territory (just 100 km) with inestimable wines known throughout the world.
SHOPPING
Forte dei Marmi offers exclusive boutiques for fashion addicts, featuring the most famous stylists “Made in Italy”, like Armani, Gucci, Dolce&Gabbana, Versace and many others... it’s an appointment not to be missed: “The street market” on Wednesdays is also held on Sunday mornings in the summer.
