Versilia is famous for its clubs and for entertainment but close to the Apuan mountains, you can find a town rich of history and full of masterpieces, that became place of inspiration for many artists. The area was inhabited since ancient times and certainly in the Lombard period, as testified by the “Rocca di Sala”, a fortress built by the Lombards, a proud barbaric people. The city was founded in 1255 by Guiscardo da Pietrasanta, a man who came from Milano. Why did Guiscardo arrive in Tuscany? He was choosed as mayor of Lucca (you must know that centuries ago, they used to choose the major far away from nearby, to let him be above the interests and local rivalries). The new village was very important for Lucca beacuse was located close to the Via Francigena, in an area full of mineral resources and fundamental to control the Port of Motrone, unique acces to the sea. Later, the famous warlord Castruccio Castracani defended Pietrasanta with a circle of new walls and reinforced the old Rocca di Sala building a new one, called "Arrighina Fortress". All these works weren't useless because Pietrasanta was for long time disputed between Lucca, Pisa, Genoa and Florence until in 1513 was conquered by Florence. Later, the great renaissance artist Michelangelo moved to Pietrasanta to seek the most important treasure of the city: the marble. This stone stands in front of the Cathedral and also in many buildings of the old town. Pietrasanta infact became the hometown of many sculptors and even today is a international marble processing center. Actually many artists from around the world come to Pietrasanta to get inspiration and often they give the city their own artwork. Walking in the city centre, you can meet masterpieces of Igor Mitoraj, Fernando Botero and Gina Lollobrigida; it seems to live out of time, in a place where art reigns supreme and you can see a real mix of different styles.
Contact us, to take part is our 'Tour of Versilia' and discover Pietrasanta, a lovely, unforgettable town.