Pietrasanta

Pietrasanta is a town and comune on the coast of northern Tuscany in Italy, in the province of Lucca. Pietrasanta is part of Versilia, on the last foothills of the Apuan Alps, about 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Pisa. The town is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) off the coast (where the frazione of Marina di Pietrasanta is located). The Pietrasanta Marina, with golden sand and luxurious equipments is considered one of the best beaches of Italy. History The town has Roman origins and part of the Roman wall still exists. The medieval town was founded in 1255 upon the preexisting "Rocca di Sala" fortress of the Lombards by Luca Guiscardo da Pietrasanta, from whom it got its name. Pietrasanta was at its height a part of the Republic of Genoa (1316–1328). The town is first mentioned in 1331 in records of Genoa, when it became a part of the Lucca along with the river port of Motrone, and was held until 1430. At that time it passed back to Genoa until 1484, when it was annexed to the Medici held seigniory of Florence. In 1494, Charles VIII of France took control of the town. It remained a Luccan town again until Pope Leo X, a member of the Medici family, gave Pietrasanta back to his family. The town suffered a long period of decline during the 17th and 18th centuries, partially due to malaria. In 1841, Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany promoted several reconstruction projects (including the building of schools specially created to teach carving skills, and the reopening of the once famous quarries). The town then became the capital of the Capitanato di Pietrasanta, which included the towns of Forte dei Marmi, Seravezza and Stazzema (this region became the historical heart of Versilia). The town joined the newly unified Italian Kingdom in 1861. Main sights Cathedral of St. Martin (Duomo, 13th-14th centuries). Church of Saint Augustine (15th century), in Romanesque style, now seat of art exhibitions. It includes some remains of 14th-15th centuries frescoes. The Gothic Civic Tower. Column and Fountain of the Marzocco (16th century). Palazzo Panichi Carli (16th century). Palazzo Moroni (16ht century), home to the local Archaeological Museum. Culture The area, like most of Tuscany in general, has long enjoyed the patronage of artists. Pietrasanta grew to importance during the 15th century, mainly due to its connection with marble. Michelangelo was the first sculptor to recognize the beauty of the local stone. Notable people Ottavio Barsanti, New Zealand missionary, priest and writer born in Pietrasanta. Fernando Botero, Colombian painter and sculptor, lives in the commune. Hanneke Beaumont, Dutch-born sculptor, lives in the commune. Romano Cagnoni, Italian photographer, lives in the commune. Giosuè Carducci, poet and teacher; recipient of 1906 Nobel Prize in Literature. Carlo Carli, politician. Corinna Dentoni, tennis player. Giulio Donati, footballer. Irene Fornaciari, opera singer. Cesare Galeotti, composer, conductor and concert pianist was born in Pietrasanta on 5 June 1872. He was best known for his opera Anton and Dorisse. Silvia Gemignani, Olympic triathlete. Kathleen Jones, English biographer and poet, lives in the commune. Robert Kubica, Polish F1 driver, lives in the commune. Leonardo Massoni, footballer. Igor Mitoraj, Polish sculptor, lived in the commune. David Philippaerts, Grand Prix motocross world champion. Diego Romanini, race car driver. Luca Tesconi, Olympic sport shooter. Nicola Vizzoni, Olympic hammer thrower. Sister cities Pietrasanta is twinned with Écaussinnes, Belgium Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany Villeparisis, France Zduńska Wola, Poland Montgomery, Alabama Utsunomiya, Japan References External links Official website (Italian) Pietrasanta Portal (Italian) Video Introduction to Pietrasanta (English) Downtown accommodation (English) Ask for the Pietrasanta newsletter (English issue) about Marble, Art and Tourism (English)