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In the old Roman times they used slaves, and probably many of them, because they then chiseled the stone out of the facing. In later times, Italians used wood wedges to insert into the rock and then wet them. That would split the rock from the pressure. That method continued until late 1800's. Blasting of the rock was used at one stage, but eventually done away with because of the large waste of good stone. The name apparently comes from Latin fro quarry, or Roman interpretation for places of stone.
During a lot of the 2,000 year period, saws were used to cut through the rock and shape the block of stone. In the old times it took two people one day to cut 3 inches. That is a lot of labor to cut so many stones in a week. They now use diamond tipped automatic cutters that expedites the cutting process. The laborers are separated into duties of stone cutters, stone movers, rough cut laborer, and then the block sawers.
Updated Jul 14, 2009
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This is a real surreal and huge mountain, and was first called Luna-for moon in Apuan Alps. You could get run off the narrow winding road if not careful from a fast moving truck hauling the marble down the mountain. The magnificent views at the top are well worth the trip. White marble dust is all around. Mountain sides are cut/blasted and the impact of the work that has been going on for years is phoenominal.
The museum, Museo del Marmo, there is also a nice site to take in. The museum features the story of the mountain carving of marble/granite since inception to current day. Romans first scoped out the marble for use in the Forum in 48BCE, and shipped it from the port of Luna. Inside and out there are some real magnificent and bizarre carvings and statues. The workshops of some local artists is in the rear. While you are there, guess what, a couple of shops selling Carrara marble in various sizes and shapes. The prices are better than downroad, or the tourist shops in the area.
Be careful trying to take the back road out. It winds back into the mountain and may end up back where you came from and tunnels are only for one vehicle only.
Updated Jul 14, 2009
Website: http://giove.cnuce.cnr.it/Museo.html
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The process of cutting out a large piece of marble is time consuming and takes a lot of preparation work. They now use more intricate methods of slicing the blocks out of the mountain by using precision blasts, and wedge blocks and cutters. In the past the blast was the primary method until early 1900's and it took along with it a lot of good stone that was useless.
Written Aug 22, 2008
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The road is winding and in some spots rather nervy to drive. The curves to go up the mountain side are wide in some areas, and more narrow in others. The trucks are coming downhill. Also loclas walk along side the road, or are on bikes.
Updated Aug 13, 2008
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This bridge is one of two that go into the mountain. WE went around past the museum on one road. It winds back through many narrow roads and eventually ends up at the bottom of the mountain. It is connecting to a point where the drive up started. This is a nice drive, but be aware, the trucks are coming from that direction to climb back up the mountain, and some parts are only one vehicle wide, especially through the tunnel.
Updated Aug 13, 2008
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I know...a marble quarry! Sounds dull, huh? Not a bit of it!
Run by a lovely man, Walter Danesi, it is a little 'garden' of all sorts of marble sculptures, carved from the local mountains which surround you on every side. There's a cave which you can visit as part of a tour group (ask outside the museum) but the real attractions are Danesi's sculptures and the inscriptions (which are sometimes wonderfully amateur!)
He runs a little shop selling all sorts of marble souvenirs and you can even buy a considerably big chunk of marble for 4 to 10 euros! In the UK you'd pay upwards of £25!!!
There's a complete quarryman's cabin to wander around inside and on the shelves are all the visitor's books from over the years. Don't forget to sign it before you leave!
The climb up the mountains (best done with a car, motorbike or in a coach!) is a sightseeing treat in itself, but if you need any more convincing... Michaelangelo came to this very area to select the marble slab from which his beautiful sculpture 'David' was carved!
[ PHOTO TO FOLLOW! ]
Updated Oct 19, 2004
Address: Museo de Fanta Scritti, Carrara, Tuscany.
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There are some wonderful sculptures at the museum entrance and surrounding area. These are a couple that are impressive of the dozen or so around the top
Updated Jul 14, 2009
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The museum was founded in 1982 and its aim was to collect documents and testimonies on the local culture relating to marble.
Written Jan 20, 2008
Address: viale xx settembre
Phone: 0585 845746
Website: http://giove.cnuce.cnr.it/museo.html
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Take a tour of the Cararra Marble quarry and view some of the marble sculptures along the way. There is a gift shop selling cheap marble goods. Many people liked the marble chess sets.
Updated Jul 29, 2005
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Reviews and photos of Carrara attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Carrara sightseeing.
Take a tour of the Cararra Marble quarry and view some of the marble sculptures along the way. There is a gift shop selling cheap marble goods. Many people...
3 members live in Carrara
Q: Hi, 3 of us will be in Pisa from Nov 24 to 28, 2010 and want to spend one day in Carrara and the quarry. What is the best way to...
A: You will find information about visiting the quarry on its website: http://www.carraramarble.it/english/marble_quarry_tour.html where there is also a contact email...
Read 5 Replies
1
They keep digging out sections of the mountain. After all these years, apparently there is still more to dig. About 300,000 square meters are carved out yearly. Franco Barattini owns the three active...
2
Cararra is the home of pure white marble quarries. This site has been in use for over 2000 years since the Roman era. It is a wonder marble is still being quarried after all these years. Here,...
3
I've got some interesting experiences in Carrara. I'd love to share with you the 2 tips I've written, the 3 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
4
Close up of Cararra Marble Quarry
These mines have supplied marble since Roman times. The scupltue Michelangelo used Carrara marble for his famous works of art.
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A picture from the road to Miseglia (outside Carrara on the way into the Apuan mountains) of the Arco Arte sculpture studio where I trained for two weeks.
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