Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Founded in 1255 by Guiscardo da Pietrasanta,
podestà
of Lucca, Pietrasanta was seen
as a prize by Genoa, Lucca, Pisa and Florence, all of whom jostled for possession of its
marble quarries and bronze foundries. Florence predictably won and Leo X (Giovanni de'
Medici) took control in 1513, putting the town's famous quarries at the disposal of
Michelangelo, who came here in 1518 to source marble for the facade of Florence's San
Lorenzo. The artistic inclination of Pietrasanta dates from this time, and today it is the
home of many artists, including internationally lauded Colombian-born sculptor Fernando
Botero, whose work can be seen here.
Sights
From Pietrasantra
train station
(Piazza della Stazione)
head straight across Piazza Carducci to
the old city gate and onto central square
Piazza del Duomo
, where the attractive
Duomo di
San Martino
(1256), with its red-brick and 36m-tall bell tower, awaits. Neighbouring 13th-
century
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
(Piazza del Duomo; hrs vary)
was deconsecrated and is now a
wonderfully evocative venue for art exhibitions. Next, dip into Pietrasanta's art heritage
with dozens of moulds of famous sculptures cast or carved in Pietrasanta, at the
Museo dei
Bozzetti
(
05 8479 5500;
www.museodeibozzetti.it
;
Via Sant'Agostino 1;
2-7pm Tue-Sat, 4-7pm
Sun)
inside the convent adjoining the church.
Cross to the other side of the square and meander along
Via Giuseppe Mazzini
, the town's
main shopping strip bookended by contemporary street sculptures. Tucked between
boutiques at No 103 is the superb
Chiesa della Misericordia
, frescoed with the
Gate of
Paradise
and
Gate of Hell
by Botero (the artist portrays himself in hell).
Sleeping
Albergo Pietrasanta
( 05 8479 3726;
www.albergopietrasanta.com
; Via Garibaldi 35; s €132-231, d €213-277;
)
Should you find yourself totally smitten with Pietrasanta and unable to leave, this chic
17th-century
palazzo
- a perfect fusion of old and new - is among Tuscany's loveliest
boutique town hotels.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€€
Eating & Drinking
Filippo
MODERN TUSCAN
€€
