Forte dei Marmi is a seaside town in the province of Lucca in northern Tuscany. It overlooks the Ligurian Coast in Versilia. Tourism is its main activity, attracting wealthy Italians from Florence and Milan. The population of the town triples in the summer when visitors flock to the seaside to enjoy the town’s delights.
The area’s previous reasons for being were silver, lead and silver in Roman times and later on, marble. In 1515 the marble quarries that lie in the mountains behind Forte dei Marmi were donated to the Medici family. New quarries were opened and a new road was built to bring the marble blocks to the sea, where a pier was built.
In the 1700s rivers were diverted in the area to avoid flooding, canals were built and the area was reclaimed. The road became more important for marble transportation. Settlements were built in what is now Forte dei Marmi.
A fortress was built in 1788 as a defence point against pirate raids and as a deposit for the marble that came from the Apuane mountains. That is how the town got its name, Forte dei Marmi, Fortress of Marble.
In 1997 the Fortress became the Museum of Satirical Art. It is a lovely focal point in the town.
Forte dei Marmi is a very well presented town. I love the pines on the edge of the town with the mountains as a backdrop.
There is a memorial to maritime workers.
Looking towards the mountains. You can see the marble quarries in the mountains. They are sometimes mistaken for snow.
There are lots of attractive shops and restaurants in Forte dei Marmi.
The vase in the photo above is made of silicone and it wobbles when you touch it. I loved it and thought of buying it until I found it was €800. I reluctantly left it in the shop.
There is an excellent antique market each month.
There is also a weekly market every Wednesday. It is one of the best I have seen on Italy for quality products. It is held in a lovely park under the pines.
Even in autumn there are pretty flowers everywhere in Forte dei Marmi.
I had lunch at the newly renovated Principe cafe on the main street.
I sat at an outside table, but the interior is lovely too.
A visit to Forte dei Marmi s not complete without a walk on the pier to take in the view of the town and the mountains behind it.
Forte dei Marmi is a fun place to visit.
Remembering the fun times we had when we went over for a bit of lunch and shopping. You, Liz and I. It looks like it has developed quite a bit since then.
By: Wendy Bradford on November 10, 2024
at 10:48 pm
The town changes constantly. The pedestrian areas were all renewed last year. Shops come and go. There is always something interesting to see.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 10, 2024
at 11:08 pm
Flowers, homewares and fashion? Yes please! I love that vase too-can it hold flowers or is it a decorating piece?
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 10, 2024
at 10:52 pm
Being silicon it would hold water, but it was quite big and might get a bit heavy filled with water. It is beautiful to look at and I saw another one a couple of days later which was even bigger and more impressive.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 10, 2024
at 11:10 pm
Forte dei Marmi certainly looks very interesting & I love those trees also. Even though the boutiques look fabulous I can see the markets also look great & full of quality. Thanks for the history.
By: Camillus Davall on November 10, 2024
at 11:22 pm
Forte dei Marmi is an easy drive from Bagni di Lucca, so I can visit often. There is always something interesting to see.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2024
at 4:24 am
Love seeing Forte dei Marmi again through your photos Deb. It is such a gorgeous town on the coast and the views are pretty amazing.
By: Kerry & Jim on November 10, 2024
at 11:45 pm
I have been going a bit more to Pietrasanta, but Forte dei Marmi is a lovely town to visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2024
at 7:56 am
A lovely insight into Forte dei Marmi .
Thanks Deb
By: Donna McCormack on November 11, 2024
at 12:17 am
It is a pretty town.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2024
at 8:57 pm