Carrara Marble Quarries: Discover the Ancient Process of Marble Excavation
4.4
27 Ratings
Carrara
Experience the ancient process of marble excavation in the Carrara Marble Quarries. Discover the history behind the marble used in iconic structures like the Pantheon and Trajan's Column. Plus, indulge in a taste of the famous Lardo di Colonnata IGP.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Stadio dei Marmi - Meeting point in the Stadio dei Marmi area in Carrara, meeting with the guide, and start of the tour.
    From here we begin the ascent among the vineyards of the green Candia Hills (famous for giving birth to a fine and original tasting Wine) along a route between the sea and the imposing Apuan Alps that is truly spectacular.
    We continue along an up-and-down dirt section until we find the asphalt road again, which leads directly into the heart of the Carrara Marble Quarries.
  • Carrara - Explore the most precious of Carrara’s treasures: the white marble quarries.
    Aboard comfortable and powerful 4×4 jeeps, our guide will take you over the peaks of the Apuan Alps. Up to the marble basins at an altitude of 1,000 meters, to discover the magical place where Michelangelo found the block that gave birth to his world-famous Pieta.
  • Lardo di Colonnata - Taste a sample of the famous Lardo di colonnata
What's Included
  • Local Expert guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
Additional Information

Journey along the twisting paths of the Colonnata Valley, gaining a deep understanding of both ancient and contemporary marble mining processes. Peer into the vast white chasms carved into the untamed Carrara slopes, which have supplied marble to various Italian locations for over 2 millennia. Learn about the labours of the workers who excavated the marble used in constructing the Pantheon and Trajan’s Column during ancient Roman times, as well as numerous Renaissance sculptures. On your return trip, you’re encouraged to sample the renowned Lardo di Colonnata IGP at your own leisure, with your guide providing the location details.

  • Not recommended for travelers with acrophobia
Location
Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 8
Piazza Vittorio Veneto
Stadio dei Marmi - 4 Olimpionici Azzurri Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 8, 54033 Carrara MS, Italy Near the marble obelisk in front of the stadium and the bus stop. Search a Defender with an orange sign. From Carrara Avenza Train Station station Bus L51-L52-L53-L54-L70 Direction - Carrara Ospedale
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(27 Ratings)
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5weltenbummler
May 7, 2024
Impressive tour through the marble mountains of Carrara. - Impressive drive with Luca in the Land Rover. Fabulous view from the top of the various marble quarries. The highlight was driving into the mountain where the massive marble blocks are cut out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gail_m
Nov 23, 2023
Mountains of marble - The experience was informative from beginning to end. The sheer majesty of the Apua Alps, the huge pieces of marble the process of cutting and removing down to the port is awe inspiring. The underground mining of marble was impressive. The drive up and down the mountain hair raising. The visit to the mountain food spot was welcome.
Review provided by Viator
Michela_b
Aug 22, 2023
Ultimate experience - Two and a half hours on the steep roads of the quarries. Very knowledgable and helpful staff. Interesting and fascinating. Wonderful view to the sea. The only foresight: if you suffer from dizziness as I do, just be prepared. I recommend it!!!! I suggest to establish a Museum of the ancient tools and images from the past.
Review provided by Viator
Peter
Jun 11, 2023
Great experience to see how marble is quarried - Just an amazing experience to see the open pit quarry and to enter into the mountain to see how the process works for the cave mine.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elaine_m
Sep 29, 2022
Awe Struck! - Ride up to the top! And watching the saw work. Was amazed at the size of the slabs. I didn’t know that Carrara marble was in Philly cheese, facial creams and my toothpaste!
Review provided by Viator
Tami
Aug 27, 2023
Exploration of marble quarries - My husband and I did the tour with our 7-year-old son. The journey on the steep paths in the Defender on the flatbed was very adventurous at first. At the various stages, a guide explained the quarries to us in great detail. Very interesting. The view from the top is fantastic. It was really worth it. However, there was no tasting as promised, so points were deducted.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria_c
Apr 26, 2022
would still recommend - impressive site. Negatives: Tour started at 2:30 even though our confirmation said 2:00. They said they sent an email with the time change, but I never received it. Confirmation said snacks included; there were none. Drivers/guides were very nice/entertaining. Some of our guide’s explanations were difficult to follow.
Review provided by Viator
Julia_b
Jul 31, 2023
The tour itself was very... - The tour itself was very interesting and a pleasure to do! But the Tourguide was sometimes very impolite answering questions from the audience! Also the promised Apero after the tour was missing! Based on all that the price is to high!
Review provided by Viator
573aldoc
Jul 16, 2023
Breath-taking and Instructive. Pity about the lack of emotional intelligence by the owner! - It’s a great view into a unique place, with its history and importance in the arts and design… but not only! I need to make a very strong complaint around the lack of emotional intelligence by the Tour owner/lead. His rudeness was evident after less than 5’ after our arrival (15’ before start time as suggested). He was abrupt with myself and my guests telling us not to touch anything and to just wait under the sun as he wasn’t ready. I then tried to help and introduced myself by first name using the informal ‘tu’ mode thinking this would create empathy with the tour guide with whom we would spend the next 3 hours… he looked at me and said do not address me with ‘tu’ but only with the formal ‘lei’ … I asked why and he replied: this is the way I want it! Shocked by the rudeness and lack of empathy (why choose tourism and a people-facing role as a career?) I decided to ignore the issue and continue the tour (I had 8 tickets with guests from Australia!). His edgy behaviour was again on display when, after an informative presentation at one of the stops, he put down every single person who had dared ask a question saying things like: ‘that’s the wrong question to ask’ or ‘I have already answered this’ etc… I saw people Walk away from the ‘English speaking’ group and join the Italian guide (a you g and very pleasant architect) and nobody dared asking questions at the second stop. The gentleman should really consider the impact he has on people and in the mercies they will bring back home to their countries. He is not representative of the warm and friendly spirit of most of us Italians. By the way I left him a tip against my good judgment….! The caves are amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
207jodit
Dec 10, 2023
No Show Tour Operator - We arrived at the appointed place on time. No tour operator showed up and I never received a phone call or email. I tried the number for the company but it was out of order. I emailed about a refund and have not received a response. It's very disappointing because we will not be in the Carrara region again, having traveled from the United States.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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2 Adult
June 2024
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