Forte dei Marmi
Seaside Splendor Through the Ages
On the northern coast of Tuscany lies Forte dei Marmi, a seaside town along the Versilia shore in the province of Lucca. I first came to know the town through the train station, Forte dei Marmi–Seravezza–Querceta, where I arrived on my way toward Seravezza to visit sculptors. The name, linking three neighboring towns yet distinct in its meaning, offered me a deeper sense of the local topography and its historical ties.
Forte dei Marmi (Fort of the Marbles) holds its history in every syllable. Roman settlements once reached across Versilia, and centuries later, during the Renaissance in 1515, the marble quarries were formally entrusted to the Medici family. Roads were carved through the peaks of the Monte Altissimo to guide the precious blocks of “white gold” down to the coast, where they were shipped from the pier. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the fortress that still stands served both as a guardian of the shore and an overseer of the marble trade, anchoring the town’s identity between land and sea.
As evening approached, I stepped onto the beach. Its soft golden sand stretched endlessly along the shore, and standing on the pier, facing the vast Mediterranean Sea, I could not help but glance back toward the Apuan Alps, where another form of purity rose: marble-dusted mountains in majestic continuity. Between the sea and the mountains, rows of umbrellas stood as a distinctly human landscape. I enjoyed the comfort of warm, clear weather as I wandered barefoot along the water’s edge, watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon.
In the town center, I came across the delicate, pine-shaded Piazza Marconi. Families gather here in moments of shared leisure, riding carriages and miniature cars around the park. Surrounded by boutiques, art galleries, exquisite restaurants, and holiday villas, the streets unfolded at an unhurried pace, creating an atmosphere more like a cultivated pause.
Today, Forte dei Marmi reveals itself not merely as a resort, but as a place where the heritage of marble and the art of living converge in harmonious balance, preserving a sophisticated charm that has endured for centuries.
D'ORIA
My heartfelt thanks to the owner of D’ORIA for his warm hospitality, which made my dining experience truly delightful. He even introduced me to a restaurant in Florence, where I was welcomed with the same graciousness. Located beside Piazza Marconi, the space drew me in with its elegant interior, where marble is used with refined taste. The cuisine was exquisite, the seafood was fresh, flavorful, and artfully presented, while the staff served each dish with care. It was a memorable evening.
