Pietrasanta, Italy

hotels

Visit Pietrasanta

Pietrasanta, which now has more than 20,000 inhabitants, was born in the Middle Ages at the foot of a Lombard castle - its foundation dates to 1255. The town took its name from its founder, the 'Podestà' of Lucca - called Guiscardo from Pietrasanta.

It was once capital of the historical Versilia region (see history of Pietrasanta for details).

Pietrasanta cathedral

A visit to Pietrasanta can start from the 'Duomo di San Martino', which dates back to the first half of the 14th century. It is a church of great artistic value; the great rose window in the façade stands out (it is a distinguished 15th century work by Lorenzo Riccomanni from Pietrasanta). No less interesting is the interior of the church, which has three aisles, some remarkable paintings by Pietro Dandini (1646-1712), and a late Gothic tableau depicting the Madonna and Saints. The marble pulpit, among the other sculptures of the Cathedral, is considered a masterpiece, with the high relief sculptures attributed to Donato Benti (1508). The pedestal upon which it stands is a 15th century work by Lorenzo Stagi. Also beautiful are the bronze statues depicting angels.

The 15th century bell tower is more than 30 meters high and a structure of great artistic value (also by Benti). It should be covered with marble, but the work remained unfinished. We can also thank Donato Benti for the Baptistery, while next to it stand the 'Torre delle Ore' and "Palazzo Moroni" (XVI century)

Archeologic Museum of Versilia

Inside the Palazzo Moroni we find the Archeologic Museum of Versilia, with finds dating back to the Neolithic era and to the Art Pottery of Roman and Medieval Ages.

The collection includes several sections; in the Prehistoric section are finds such as human bones, arrowheads, daggers and other artefacts of lithic industry, such as vases and pendants made of bone. A very important section is that relating to Etruscan and Ligure, which includes the gathering of all the Etruscan memorial pillars of Versilia, some tombs and other significant evidence of settlement of these populations in the area: pottery, personal ornaments, and tools for the job. Finally, the Roman and medieval section contains various artefacts including amphoras, potteries, glassware, working tools, tombs, funerary objects, coins.

Other Pietrasanta highlights

Nearby is the Church of St. Augustine, also dating back to the 14th century and a work of the Augustinian monks who later (in the 16th century) also built the Monastery, while the bell tower dates from 1780. The marble façade is characterized by three large arches, surmounted by an elegant Gothic arches supported by little columns. The interior has a single nave with a truss roof. Particularly important artistically is the first altar on the right, dating back to the fifteenth century.

The whole square is still a real open air museum, for the presence of buildings such as the Praetorian Palace (XIV century), the seat in the Middle Ages of the Vicars Bank and Captains of Justice. In the vestibule and on the façade the coats of arms of some famous families of Pietrasanta can be seen.

Among the most important structures to enjoy we can include the fountain, commissioned by the Medici of Florence to supply water to the city; the monument to Leopoldo II , by Vincenzo Santini (1807-1876); and the 'Column of Liberty' with the famous “Marzocco” - a lion impressed in an escutcheon, the emblem of the Medici Family. Going up the Colle di Sala you come to the picturesque Rocca di Sala, a vast fortified complex.

Proceeding to Via Mazzini and towards the so-called Porta a Massa, we pass a number of civic and religious buildings, ranging from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance until the nineteenth century. These include the medieval church of San Biagio, the Ponticelli Palace (XVI century), Albiani Palace (XIX century) and Masini Palace. Outside the walls, some further important artefacts stand out, such as the Palazzo della Posta Vecchia (XVI century) and the Church and Convent of St. Francis. In the region you can also visit Valdicastello, where you can visit the house of the Italian poet Giosue Carducci.

Pietrasanta cuisine

After exploring Pietrasanta be sure to stop in the typical local restaurants which offers prestigious dishes such as the typical 'Marzipan' and 'tordelli with sauce', and some of the most famous wines of Italy - among them the wine of Saint Colombano, as well as Barbera, Croatina, Cabernet and Merlot; and the Verdea, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot for white wines and the sparkling wine.

Visit Italy