Carrara

city in Tuscany, Italy

Carrara is a city in the province of Massa-Carrara (Tuscany, Italy), famous for white or blue-gray marble, and for being a city "symbol" of international anarchism.

The area around Carrara, seen from above
Flag
Coat of arms

History

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Carrara was ruled by Pisa in 1235, Lucca in 1322, Genoa in 1329, and Milan in 1343. After Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan died in 1477, Carrara was controlled by Tommaso Campogregoso, lord of Sarzana, and the Malaspina family.

Carrara and Massa made up the Duchy of Massa and Carrara from the 15th to the 19th century. In 1929, the cities of Carrara, Massa and Montignoso were joined into a single big city, called Apuania. In 1945 "Apuania", was abolished, and the cities were separated.

Important monuments

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Economy and culture

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A Carraran marble quarry

Carrara marble has been used since the time of Ancient Rome for buildings, like the Pantheon and Trajan's Column in Rome. Many sculptures of the Renaissance, such as Michelangelo's David, were made from Carrara marble.

The city has academies of sculpture and fine arts and a museum of statuaries and antiquities. The local marble is exported around the world.

Famous people born in Carrara

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Other websites

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