Marble Caves of Carrara
Marble Caves of Carrara
4.5
About
Famous for their white marble, these caves in the Apua Mountains serve as studios of stone sculpting and bronze art, where famous artists and sculptors from all over the world come to work.
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4.5
566 reviews
Excellent
377
Very good
121
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
29
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Lucky580214
Arcola, Italy268 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
To see, at least once in a lifetime. The place is of absolute solemnity and everything is of enormous proportions. And today there are cars but until a few decades ago everything was done by hand. A job handed down from father to son and in every family there have been deaths, over time. Safety is held in high regard but when you work with huge boulders zero risk does not exist. At the end of the visit a visit to Colonnata is a must, to stock up on lard and other typical local products. And then, going down towards Carrara, if you want to experience a long thrill, take the road that passes through narrow tunnels dug into the marble. They're not illuminated, like the whole street, for that matter. It's several kilometers where you can close yourself "but who made me do it?". Check your fuel before leaving that running out of water in that area is not recommended.
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Written 26 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rina2608
Almere, The Netherlands224 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Highly recommended! In this mine, from which marble is still extracted, you can take a jeep all the way to the top. This gives you a fantastic idea of how large the area is and how marble is mined. An excellent explanation in English about how the marble is extracted from the mountains and in what quantities. For €15 real value for money. Do not follow the brown signs to the other cave, but look for the address of the Fantiscritti Cave. Even if you think you are not allowed to drive somewhere because of the large trucks coming towards you, feel free to continue driving. The ticket office is right at the bottom of the mountain.
Written 21 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pappabuona1953
Province of Turin, Italy54 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Enchanting place even if raw given the particularity of this carved mountain
Here the beauty truly marries the severity of the landscape
When you see it you are left impressed
It is a must to go up here at least once in your life
Our tuscany_tour_experience guide was excellent and very pleasant
Here the beauty truly marries the severity of the landscape
When you see it you are left impressed
It is a must to go up here at least once in your life
Our tuscany_tour_experience guide was excellent and very pleasant
Written 7 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ania
Poznan, Poland581 contributions
Jul 2019
It was bizzare feeling getting there. We had enjoying our trip in Land Rover with Mr Big (funny and crazy). On the other hand looking at the mountains that are so broken is rather sad. Maybe it's good to go there and see how is damage is a human for nature...
Written 22 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin R
9 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
My brother and I have worked in the mining industry for over 30 years in the US and take it from us if you use Marco for your private guide you won’t be disappointed. As a quarrymen himself and from a long family line of quarry owners and quarrymen he knows his stuff. He takes you to both surface and underground works. Explains both history of marble mining and modern methods. From his small family owed marble quarry to large underground works to a 4X4 low lock 3000ft climb to the top of the mountain cut and spectacular views! Marco is a private tour operator, will pick you up and deliver you back to Carrara. One of the best tours we have ever taken.
Written 17 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoSpin
Weston, MA410 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Unfortunately we did not book a tour, but drove through all the roads and tunnels. There are few places where you can stop to take photos and buy souvenirs and refreshments. Also with toilette.
Caution, driving these roads are not for the faint of heart. There are no guardrails anywhere. Only when you go through these rough hewn tunnels will you be safe from that, but even the tunnels are scarey.
Two tips, remember you are going to a place where they gave been creating marble dust for more than 2000 years. Firstly wear shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. Secondly if you take your car, when you leave to get back on the Autostrada, there is a car wash (self and full serve) at the end of Viale 20 Septembre on the left just before the rotary. You're going to need it!
Caution, driving these roads are not for the faint of heart. There are no guardrails anywhere. Only when you go through these rough hewn tunnels will you be safe from that, but even the tunnels are scarey.
Two tips, remember you are going to a place where they gave been creating marble dust for more than 2000 years. Firstly wear shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. Secondly if you take your car, when you leave to get back on the Autostrada, there is a car wash (self and full serve) at the end of Viale 20 Septembre on the left just before the rotary. You're going to need it!
Written 14 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler
Puerto Rico553 contributions
Great views. You will get impressed when you see the huge trucks getting their way up or doen the hill in a very stretch road. Only one of this hige trucks can transit in the dirt road a time. There are a some stores to bring home a pice of Italy. A lot of marble pieces at an affordable prices. Also a couple of trattorias in the area. Lardo sandwiches can be delicious but very heavy since lardo is only cured Pork fat try them but not get hooked up or you will feel the consequences. Is a must do visit dont miss this amazing place. Awsome views for perfect pictures.
Written 25 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisetteki
1,618 contributions
I thought I had seen it all but this is something else
This is the quarry where Michelangelo chose his marble.
It is the major marble supplier in the world.
No wonder it is called white gold. The views are spectacular and it is not for the fair of heart as you will travel up to 45 degree steep angle roads to get there. You must do a tour. ( I suggest the 4x4) cavedimarmortours. The tunnels ( old railroad tunnel ) and the caves are something else ! I didn't think I would enjoy it the way I did but it was absolutely spectacular. If you are anywhere near by in Florence Pisa or cinque terre make the trip it is worth it
This is the quarry where Michelangelo chose his marble.
It is the major marble supplier in the world.
No wonder it is called white gold. The views are spectacular and it is not for the fair of heart as you will travel up to 45 degree steep angle roads to get there. You must do a tour. ( I suggest the 4x4) cavedimarmortours. The tunnels ( old railroad tunnel ) and the caves are something else ! I didn't think I would enjoy it the way I did but it was absolutely spectacular. If you are anywhere near by in Florence Pisa or cinque terre make the trip it is worth it
Written 19 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teddy Carraro
Tenerife, Spain74 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The first time you see the mountains above Carrara, it takes your breath away. The white "wounds" where the marble has been cut away, are bigger than life. The courage of the workers, driving their big trucks up nearly vertical slopes, the landslides of marble chips thrown down the mountain. It's all too exciting. To think that Michelangelo took his marble from these quarries with ox-drawn carts, and even had to have a bridge built over a gorge, in order to get his marble down to sea level, just amazes everybody. Take your camera.
Written 16 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
regina v
Vught, The Netherlands12 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
This is definitely a must go if you are staying in the area. We stayed in Lucca and it took us only 50 minutes by car. Follow in carrara the signs to the marble caves ( not to be missed, they are everywhere). Then drive up and when you're almost there follow the signs Franscitti.. There is the option of a bustour that takes you in the caves or a 4x4 tour that brings you over a spectaculair road to the top. This is also the road that the trucks use to transport the marble. At several points they stop to explain in English or Italian,how they cut the marble etc. Whole tour takes about 50 minutes. The entrance for the booking is at the small restauarant, opposite a souvenir shop.
Written 24 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Здравствуйте! Подскажите, работают ли карьеры, и проводятся ли по ним экскурсии зимой? Хотим приехать туда в январе, но как минимум у нескольких фирм видели график работы с марта по ноябрь...
Written 14 July 2019
macartier
Ingrandes, France
Comment trouver un guide qui parle français pour visiter les carrières à Carrare?
Written 4 March 2019
Je, n sais pas, mais je croi, que si tu demand pour un, I’m me serai problem
Written 29 May 2019
Which tour operator did you use ? How did you arrive , by train ?
Thanks,
Eliza
Written 15 October 2018
I used no tour operator. I took train to Carrara Avenza (was staying in Pisa) - you can buy tickets at the station, there is an english option in the machines, and staff also spoke english. Then, i took a bus to Carrara Ospedale (tickets are a bit harder, but you can just pay in the bus, although its more expensive, or at some stores). Then I took a bus to Colonnata, and walked from there (there is a lovely trail going up, with a great view of the marble caves). Pretty sure you can access most caves with public transportation (find the routes on moovit), which will be much cheaper and, imho, more fun.
Written 18 January 2019
Qualcuno mi dice dove sono le agenzie che fanno il tour delle cave a 10 euro o un riferimento internet, navigando su internet ho trovato solo tour a 60 euro... Grazie
Written 31 August 2018
Direttamente sul posto all’entrata della cava c’è la biglietteria. Il tour alle cave interne di Fantistricchi che abbiamo fatto costa €.10 a testa e dura circa 1 ora merita senz’altro.
Written 31 August 2018
Hallo,
ist eine Besichtigung sonntags möglich? Und eventuell auch vom Museum?
Vielen Dank für eine Antwort im Voraus!
Gruß
Mirja
Written 28 July 2018
Do they do these tours in English? I couldn't tell on their website.
Written 19 May 2018
Yes tours are available in English. I took both the underground and surface 4 X 4 tour today and tour guides spoke English.
Written 2 October 2018
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