Pietrasanta?

[Sysiphus]

hello everyone. i am heading to rome on the 1st of march, 2006. this will be my third visit to one of my favorite cities and i'll be there for a week. i was considering taking a side trip to pietrasanta. i've never been and i was wondering if there was anyone here who had and would they think it worth it. as a stone sculptor you hear about this little town all the time, but given that i'm only traveling for a week i wonder if it's worth sacrifiing a day from rome (or florence) to visit.

thanks

[anne (bxl)]

as a stone sculptor you hear about this little town all the time, but given that i'm only traveling for a week i wonder if it's worth sacrifiing a day from rome (or florence) to visit.

Hi Sysiphus, Pietrasanta is wellknown for the stone carriers you may find in and around the city. Based on my ex brother in law comments (he is a marble merchant and use to buy marble in Pietrasanta) it might be an exciting experience to have workshops overthere. Also some of the companies owning the carriers have professionnal sculptors working on site. But the main activity of Pietrasanta is industrial extraction. I am not sure one single day would be interresting unless your intention is to buy stone on site. And btw it is a quite long drive from Roma...

[Cantab]

OK. Pietrasanta. Lovely small town/city, with street after street of art galleries, reflecting its status as an art destination. It has a lovely main piazza and fine cathedral, and is surrounded by sculpture studios where the sculptors and art lovers of the world have commissions carried out by specialist craftsmen. The streets are flooded by astonishing stone sculptures, mainly in modern idioms. There is also a number of studios that offer tuition.
In the summer it is perhaps THE place to be in Northern Tuscany - very chic! The night life is fantastic, with the piazza and streets filled with al fresco dining and drinking.
March, however, may be a little too early to experience the buzz of Pietrasanta. As a destination, it is tiny. Apart from the main piazza and art galleries there is little to see. If you were holidaying in Northern Tuscany, yes! Travelling from Rome, No! Even from Florence - there is no direct train route, and by car it would take 75 minutes at least. If you are heading for Florence, spend extra time there, and DO see the Brancacci Chapel! The beginning of 'modern' art, 15th century style!
If you do sometime intend to visit Northern Tuscany, don't miss Carrara - now that is a serious sculpting city. Pietrasanta is just that little bit commercialised. Carrara is SERIOUS! As for buying stone, I can recommend a source of quality Carrara in Carrara itself (www.arcoarte.it).

[leverevel]

Hi Sysiphus, Pietrasanta is wellknown for the stone carriers you may find in and around the city. Based on my ex brother in law comments (he is a marble merchant and use to buy marble in Pietrasanta) it might be an exciting experience to have workshops overthere. Also some of the companies owning the carriers have professionnal sculptors working on site. But the main activity of Pietrasanta is industrial extraction. I am not sure one single day would be interresting unless your intention is to buy stone on site. And btw it is a quite long drive from Roma...

Hello dear ANNE

Planning on a 4 dayes stay in Pietrasanta and its srounding . As an amature sculpture ..i will love to travle ..see ..and maybe take a workshope if i can !
can u please advice me if u know of eny studio avlble
dated are flaxble ...i think of going there , in the next 3 monthes
Thnks
eddy