Apart from the hills surrounding Florence, Chianti, and the charming Cortona countryside, made famous by “Under the Tuscan Sun” - the region’s most sought after, second-home destination is Versilia. Known as the Tuscan Riviera due to the many important beach resorts that are located along this stretch of Tuscan coastline, Versilia includes Viareggio with its port and famous winter carnival, Torre del Lago, Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Pietrasanta, artistic Pietrasanta and the affluent Forte di Marmi.
When translated into English, Forte dei Marmi means Fortress of the Marbles; taking its name for the fortress that stands in the main square. Interestingly, Forte Dei Marmi didn’t really become fashionable until the 19th century when the Tuscan nobility discovered the town and developed it into a seaside resort. In fact, they were responsible for the growth in numerous beach facilities (stabilimenti balneari), many of which operate there today and make up one of the town’s main services for tourist.
However, its humble origins can be traced to when Michelangelo built a road to transport marble down from the quarries in the Apuan Alps. One of the first buildings (traces of it are still visible from the provincial road) to be erected here was the Magazzino dei Marmi, or marble store. This was built by order of Cosimo dei Medici back in 1618. It wasn’t long before a small settlement appeared, growing into a fishing village and important port used by the Tuscans for shipping marble, although the fortress was built later in 1788 to defend the coast from impending attack.
For centuries, Forte dei Marmi came under Pietrasanta, but eventually gained independence in 1914 to form its own municipality. Despite a number of setbacks, especially during WW2 when the Gothic line was formed, the town began to strengthen its tourism facilities to cater to the most demanding of tourists, reaching its maximum splendour during the 1960’s when some of Italy’s most prestigious families decided to build the palatial villas in the Pineta di Roma Imperiale.
Most of the stately “marble” towns are a few kilometres inland from the sea and are a world apart from the luxury boutiques offering the latest high fashion clothes, shoes and accessories from some of the best designers around, and beach resorts that bear witness to a long-standing tradition of tourism where many of Europe’s VIP’s descend each summer to take up residence in this corner of Tuscany.
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Be it penthouses, villas or private estates ‘Forte dei Marmi’ is where you ought to be!
