Out of blue! Marina di Carrara The alternative gateway to Tuscany and Liguria April 2019 1 Index The port of Marina di Carrara: Location p. 3 Location toward tourist areas p. 4 Technical Info p. 5 Services p. 6 From Marina di Carrara to the tourist areas of: Tuscany within a range of 10 km (Marina di Carrara, Carrara, Marble Quarries) p. 7 within a range of 60 km (Lunigiana, Lucca, Pisa) p. 9 within a range of 120 km (Florence) p. 11 Liguria within a range of 30 km (La Spezia and Poets Gulf) p. 12 within a range of 65 km (Five Lands) p. 13 within a range of 100 km (Portofino) p. 14 within a range of 130 km (Genoa) p. 15 Parma p. 16 Gastronomy and typical food p. 17 References p. 19 2 The Port of Marina di Carrara: location Marina di Carrara, a modern seasisde resort in a favourable position of the Tyrrenian coast, can be considered the alternative Port to Tuscany and Liguria. It is protected from the cold north winds by the Apuan Alps, the “marble” mountains. An excellent network of roads and railways connect it to the main monumental , artistic and natural attractions of Tuscany and Ligury. Being a good attraction by itself for sport, shopping, swimming and sandy beaches . History The Port of Carrara has its origins in the ancient past, and developed from the legendary Portus Lunae, where white marble was loaded on to great ships known as "Naves Lapidariae" heading for Rome and the other imperial cities. Nowadays the Port of Carrara is the most important mercantile port for the import-export of stone products. Marine distances • 54 marine miles from Genoa • 12 marine miles from La Spezia • 34 marine miles from Leghorn •148 marine miles from Civitavecchia •292 marine miles from Naples •231 marine miles from Marseille •192 marine miles from Olbia Roads and motorways The Port of Carrara is linked to the dense Tyrrhenian road network and the "Cisa" motorway coming from the north of Italy. There are in fact two motorway exits very near the port: Carrara (1 Km) and Massa (5 Km). The realisation of a new motorway toll-booth entirely dedicated to the port, just a LAT : 44° 02’ N few hundred metres from the port's entrance, is envisaged. LON : 10° 03’ E Railways 2 km from the Port: Carrara Avenza railway station (on the Tyrrenian trace Genoa-Rome) Airport The international airport “Galileo Galilei” of Pisa (61 km from the Port, of which 55 km by motorway) hosts many low costs European lines and also Intecontinental lines, joining Pisa to Germany, Netherland, Spain, UK, Ireland, Malta, Norway,Sweden, Portugal,France, Austria, New York. 3 The Port of Marina di Carrara: location toward tourist areas Marina di Carrara, compared to Leghorn, is only a few km farer to main Tuscan tourist areas; instead, it is much more close to Liguria, above all to the beautiful area of “Five Lands” and the Poets Gulf of La Spezia. Distance (km) from Marina di Carrara to: Lucca 52 Florence 120 by motorway Pisa 58 La Spezia 30 Five Lands 65 Portofino 96 Genoa 125 Parma 132 Distance (km) from Leghorn to: Lucca 54 Florence 106 by FiPiLi, 120 by motorway Pisa 30 La Spezia 101 Five Lands 136 Portofino 167 Genoa 194 Parma 203 4 The Port of Marina di Carrara: technical info The Port of Marina di Carrara, protected from the cold north winds by the Apuan Alps, is now opening to the cruise passengers (its main activity is based on the marble delivery). It has ISPS approoved. Due to the port entrance shape, at the moment only ships having max length 295 mt and draft 9 mt are allowed to enter in. 2 quays are dedicated to the passengers traffic: • the Tagliercio quay: length 250 mt, width 50 mt, draft 9.50 mt • the Eugenio Chiesa quay: length 100 mt, width 70 mt, draft 10 mt From the piet hedge to sea level: about 3 mt Their distance from the Port entrance is 60 mt Both of them are perfectly smooth and paved; bus can easily The sea side of the quays are equipped with last generation and efficient fenders. 5 The Port of Marina di Carrara: services Pier services: Fresh water supply, with pumping rate of 18 mtH, and a hose every bollard Bunkering Light sockets Telephone plugs Port services: Towing (3 tugs: 1,200 HP - 1,715 HP - 2,200 HP) Mooring Pilotage Garbage collection Bar, WC, Telephone Enjoyments and services for passengers and crew, close to the port: In the town of Marina di Carrara: At walking distance, a Marina, tennis courts, shopping, bowling green, bars, pubs, pizzerias At 1 km, sandy beaches and bathing establishments At 2 km, shopping mall At 10 min by bus, the town of Carrara (cultural excursion) At 30 min by bus, the Marble Quarries (nature excursion) 6 From the Port of Marina di Carrara: Tuscany tourist areas Within a range of 10 km At walking distance Marina di Carrara ~ 25.000 inhabitants Modern seaside resort with many facilities and a fine, large, soft sandy beach stretching between the blue on one side and green pine-woods on the other one. Possibility of shopping, sports (sailing, tennis, bowling green, swimming, horse riding, biking), and an enjoying Luna Park during summer time. The Marine Club in Marina di Carrara has an excellent sailing school which has produced world-famous champions over the years. 7 At 7 km (20‘ by bus) Carrara ~ 66.000 inhabitants World’s capital of the marble trade, Carrara shows an historical center with important monuments, as the romanic cathedral (XI-XIV cent.), the marble belltower, the “Giant” fountain, the house of Michelangelo Buonarroti. Also to visit: the Academy of Fine Arts, and, in Fossola, the Marble Museum. At 30‘ by bus The Marble Quarries In the Apuan Alps the spectacular marble quarries offer an evocative sight. Here this precious white stone has been excavated since Roman times. Since then, it has been used for all sorts of different purposes: from the simple objects to more famous works of art and architecture . In the first half of the 16Th century Michelagelo came frequently in Carrara to choose the stone for his masterpieces. From Campocecina there is a large view of the below quarries, and it is possible to follow the phases of the transport of the marble to the plain. Before going back to Marina di Carrara, do not forget to stop in Colonnata, the country of the Lardo. 8 From the Port of Marina di Carrara: Tuscany tourist areas Within a range of 60 km At 40 Km (50‘ by bus) Lunigiana Lunigiana (which owes its name to the ancient town of Luni), is an area along the Magra river, between Liguria,Tuscany and Emilia. It includes several towns,a green countryside, the Apuan peaks and some Appennino mountains. The area is characterized by a picturesque sequence of castles, Romanic churches, walled villages, noble an rural buildings which bear witness to the untouched cultural bac.kground. Everywhere is possible to find the signs of the Italian and European history, from the prehistory to the Middle Age , to the Modern Age. With a genuine cuisine, based on typic meals and products. 9 At 52 Km (appr 1 h by bus) Lucca ~ 80.000 inhabitants Lucca was founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman colony. Its historical center preserves the Roman street plan and many traces of Roman sites. Lucca was important also during the Middle Age, the Italian Renaissance and in Bonaparte’s period. What to see: the walls, fully intact todays, now a pedestrian promenade which encircled the old town; the St Martin's Cathedral ; Piazza dell'Anfiteatro ; Piazza Napoleone; Piazza San Michele; the Ducal Palace ; the ancient Roman amphitheatre; the church of San Michele in Foro; the Basilica of San Frediano At 58 Km (appr 1h by bus) Pisa ~ 90.000 inhabitants Situated on the banks and by the outlet of the river Arno, it had been one important Republic of the Sea and spreaded its power out to Corsica isle. Its decadence has been determined by both the rivalry with Lucca d Florence, and, most of all, by the clash with Genova, the rival Republic of rhe Sea. Its artistic estate is mostly in Miracles' Square where you can admire the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Camposanto, and especially the bell tower, known all over the world as the Leaning Tower. Another important monument is the Church of St. Maria della Spina, recently restored, on the Arno's riverside. 10 From the Port of Marina di Carrara: Tuscany tourist areas Within a range of 120 km At 142 Km (appr 2h by bus) Florence ~500.000 inhabitants Florence is one of the most historical and artistic town of the world. It preserves an excellent artistic witnessing of centuries of civilization, admirable in its churches, museums, monuments. What to see: Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, il Ponte Vecchio, the Michelangelo’s David, the Loggia della Signoria, the Carhedral, with Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower, Santa Maria Novella Church, the Uffizi’s Museum, Santa Croce Church, the Medicean Chapels ... and many other beautiful places. 11 From the port of Marina di Carrara: Ligurian tourist areas Within a range of 30 km At 30 Km (45‘ by bus) La Spezia and the Poets Gulf The Gulf of La Spezia is one of the most wide and deep inlets of the whole Tyrrhenian coast. It is encircled by two promontories and delimited by an amphitheatre of hills and mountains.