From Pietrasanta to Seravezza and Stazzema, the Florentine family left its mark
Versilia and its surrounding area need no introduction. Sheltered by mountains, covered with olive groves and with a sea that sparkles, it doesn’t take much to have the holiday of a lifetime here.
To make sure of this, we would suggest an itinerary that takes in the history of the area and that means a discovery into the traces left by the Medici family. In particular, the ideal trail goes through Seravezza, Pietrasanta and Stazzema. From Pietrasanta, head first to Seravezza, to then take the tight and difficult gorges that pass between clear streams and fresh chestnut forests, reaching the green valleys of the Apuan slopes before getting to Stazzema.
Historic Florentine family, the Medici, founded their fortune on business in the East; becoming, in around 1430, one of the most powerful dynasties in Italian history. Even Seravezza, Pietrasanta and Stazzema became Medici jurisdiction.
It was so that, under the impressive influence of the family, the general area became culturally and economically homogenised recogniseable for its marble emblem and the Medici coat of arms.
During the Medici period, Pietrasanta went through an extraordinary development that was favoured by the extension of the assigned district, that up until 1914 included today’s Forte dei Marmi. Known as a significant military centre, the city was part of the military control of the Appenine passes at the same time as it developed as a centre of marble manufacturing.
Pietrasanta is where Michelangelo chose the marble destined for the façade of San Lorenzo in Florence. Other artists like Lorenzo and Stagio Stagi, Agnolo Bronzino also went to the town, leaving behind works that you can visit today, like the church of S. Martino.
In the same time, the Torre delle Ore, the bell tower of the Monastery of S. Leone dedicated to Leone X that was demolished in the 1950s, renovations of the Sant’Agostino convent, the Marzocco fountain and the Colonna della Libertà were all built. The last two were tributes to the Medici family, an example of the city’s cultural renaissance.
During the Medici period, Pietrasanta went through an extraordinary development that was favoured by the extension of the assigned district, that up until 1914 included today’s Forte dei Marmi. Known as a significant military centre, the city was part of the military control of the Appenine passes at the same time as it developed as a centre of marble manufacturing.
Pietrasanta is where Michelangelo chose the marble destined for the façade of San Lorenzo in Florence. Other artists like Lorenzo and Stagio Stagi, Agnolo Bronzino also went to the town, leaving behind works that you can visit today, like the church of S. Martino.
In the same time, the Torre delle Ore, the bell tower of the Monastery of S. Leone dedicated to Leone X that was demolished in the 1950s, renovations of the Sant’Agostino convent, the Marzocco fountain and the Colonna della Libertà were all built. The last two were tributes to the Medici family, an example of the city’s cultural renaissance.
From Pietrasanta, we head towards Seravezza, following the Vallecchia road before getting on the SP 9 for around 7km. Seravezza, a very old town that dates back to the year 1000, has gone through many different interesting periods of history, all linked to iron and marble mining from the surrounding caves. Today, it’s the gateway to the Parco Regionale delle Apuane or the Apuane regional park.
In the town, don’t miss out on visiting the Palazzo Mediceo, built by Cosimo I de’ Medici in a strategic area for mining. The building, originally attributed to Bartolomeo Ammannati, may have actually been designed by Bernardo Buontalenti. Used in the past as a prison and then as a municipal building, today it’s the seat of the Municipal Library, the Labor, History and Popular Traditions Museum. The strong façade suggests the building’s original architectural purpose as a fortified villa: an internal courtyard is host to a fine marble well that is entirely built from a monolithic block with columns and architraves decorated with zoological figures.
In the same time period, the Cathedral was rebuilt to be dedicated to saints Lorenzo and Barbara. The building conceals a baptismal font sculpted by Stagio Stagi, a richly decorated altar in multi-tone marble and a silver crucifix by Pollaiolo.
Located in Azzano, the Pieve della Cappella dedicated to S.Martino, is entirely made of marble on a site dating back to the year 1000. Between 1518 and 1536, the church was embellished with a portico designed by Michelangelo (unfortunately destroyed during World War II) and a rosette called “the eye of Michelangelo”.
From Pietrasanta, we head towards Seravezza, following the Vallecchia road before getting on the SP 9 for around 7km. Seravezza, a very old town that dates back to the year 1000, has gone through many different interesting periods of history, all linked to iron and marble mining from the surrounding caves. Today, it’s the gateway to the Parco Regionale delle Apuane or the Apuane regional park.
In the town, don’t miss out on visiting the Palazzo Mediceo, built by Cosimo I de’ Medici in a strategic area for mining. The building, originally attributed to Bartolomeo Ammannati, may have actually been designed by Bernardo Buontalenti. Used in the past as a prison and then as a municipal building, today it’s the seat of the Municipal Library, the Labor, History and Popular Traditions Museum. The strong façade suggests the building’s original architectural purpose as a fortified villa: an internal courtyard is host to a fine marble well that is entirely built from a monolithic block with columns and architraves decorated with zoological figures.
In the same time period, the Cathedral was rebuilt to be dedicated to saints Lorenzo and Barbara. The building conceals a baptismal font sculpted by Stagio Stagi, a richly decorated altar in multi-tone marble and a silver crucifix by Pollaiolo.
Located in Azzano, the Pieve della Cappella dedicated to S.Martino, is entirely made of marble on a site dating back to the year 1000. Between 1518 and 1536, the church was embellished with a portico designed by Michelangelo (unfortunately destroyed during World War II) and a rosette called “the eye of Michelangelo”.
The last stage of the itinerary is Stazzema, situated in a panoramic position that means you can admire the numerous villages dotted on the slopes of the mountains. The area is known for its rich silver resources that in time allowed the set-up of a well-organised defensive system.
The last stage of the itinerary is Stazzema, situated in a panoramic position that means you can admire the numerous villages dotted on the slopes of the mountains. The area is known for its rich silver resources that in time allowed the set-up of a well-organised defensive system.