Pietrasanta, one of the most important cities of Versilia and whose noble name is due to its founder, Guiscardo da Pietrasanta, is presented to the eyes of visitors as a treasure chest full of artistic, cultural and historical treasures.

Its small streets are teeming with many art galleries, works of important painters and sculptors of international renown and workshops of marble sculptors, iron artisans and artists, that with their easel and their palette go in search of the perfect subject: it is so evident to tourists as the art characterizes the city and especially the historic center, in every detail. It is also possible to admire examples of religious architecture such as the Cathedral of S.Martino, the Baptistery and the library former Augustinian convent, but also military and civil, and the Cathedral Square, not only rich in architectural elements of importance but also sculptures, including those of Botero and Mitoraj.

Via Giuseppe Mazzini is the main street of the historic center and is characterized by its being welcoming and the peculiar houses located close to this small street. Walking along it you will find different shops (from clothing to objects for the house design up to charming bookshops) special restaurants, bars, wine bars famous for their unique style, like bohemian, which contribute to make Pietrasanta truly unique. Looking up along this small street, especially in the summer, you will find art installations (including umbrellas and colorful butterflies) that recall the artistic vocation of the city.

It is nice also to discover are also the two pedestrian streets parallel to the already mentioned Via Mazzini as to say Via Stagio Stagi and Via del Marzocco that extend the boundaries of the pedestrian center and where you can dine in small restaurants with great charm, with traditional cuisine and avant-garde chef of creative cuisine.

Thanks to the consolidated bond with art in all its forms and shades Pietrasanta has long been nicknamed "The little Atene": in fact, the Versilia has been propitiated for centuries by the availability of marble and since medieval times has started to produce generations of sculptors who in Pietrasanta have opened studios and workshops of copyists and foundries.
What helped to leave her a great public artistic heritage then were the numerous occasions of exhibitions of painting and sculpture gradually presented in the city, in its public spaces and in the numerous art galleries.

There are many reasons to visit Pietrasanta, first of all art, but it is certainly a city to visit all year round also because the events to attend follow each other and are very interesting. Here are the main ones:

• Antiques markets, every 1st Sunday of the month throughout the year;
• Carnival of Pietrasanta, an event that takes place in the historic center of Pietrasanta in the months of January and February or February and March
  
• Pietrasanta Festival in concert, dedicated to classical music in the months of February, March and before summer in the beautiful setting of the Cloister of Sant'Agostino;
• DAP International Festival of dance and sculpture, in the months of June and July;
• Pietrasanta Film Festival, dedicated to short films in the Cloister of Sant'Agostino in the period before the summer (May, June);
  
• Feast of San Biagio, is the patron saint of the city that is celebrated for 2 days in the first week of February during which the blessing is held

Go back to the tips' list