Pietrasanta
Pietrasanta is a small town in Italy with 23.600 inhabitants. It lies in the Province of Lucca in the north of Tuscany. The city is located 30 kilometers north of Pisa on the edge of the Apuan Alps. The district of Marina di Pietrasanta, which lies here by the sea, is a well-known seaside resort.
The districts of Capriglia, Capezzano Monte, Strettoia, Traversagna, Vecchiuccio, Solaio, Vitoio, Castello, Vallecchia, Valdicastello, Africa, Macelli, Osterietta, Crociale and Marina di Pietrasanta also belong to the municipality.
The neighboring parishes are Forte dei Marmi, Camaiore, Montignoso, Stazzema and Seravezza.
Our history
The remains of the wall today indicate settlement as early as Roman times. The city was founded in 1255, when Guiscardo Pietrasanta, who gave the place its name, built a settlement on the foot of an existing Lombard bastion. Later, in the Middle Ages, this rule changed several times between the city-states of Genoa, Florence and Lucca.
After an arbitration, the decision of Pope Leo X. in 1513 gave Pietrasanta and the area in the port of Motrone to Florence, under whose rule it remained until unity in Italy. In the 17th and 18th centuries, due to the prevalence of malaria, the period of decline followed.
Leopold II, the Grand Duke of Tuscany and at the same time Archduke of Austria, then promoted the reconstruction of the city in the 19th century and created an economic basis for a rise again to the importance of a city of marble by setting up schools for stonemasons.
Sights in Pietrasanta
San Martino Cathedral
The Cathedral of San Martino in Pietrasanta was built in the 14th century on the site of a former church and was newly restored in the 17th and 19th centuries and thus changed. The brick bell tower, the campanile, dates from the 16th century.
The Cathedral of San Martino was built in the typical Romanesque-Gothic style as early as the 13th century. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Italian builders clad the facade with a precious marble. Also worth seeing is the Torre dell'Ore, which has been striking the hours since 1534.
This majestic building from the 14th century shows a very elegant facade made of marble with the bell tower made of bricks. Many exquisite works of art are revealed inside the building. This also includes valuable frescoes. Also located in the piazza is the 17th century Palazzo Moroni, which today houses the archaeological museum. This takes tourists back to prehistoric times, the Middle Ages and also the art of the Renaissance. The city theater is also located here.
Piazza from the Duomo San Martino
In addition, other interesting buildings frame the cathedral square - including the Palazzo Moroni, which was built in the 17th century and which today also houses the Archaeological Museum. At the piazza, vacationers can stroll comfortably from one attraction to the next. This is lined with venerable buildings, palazzi and a particularly charming mix of bars and shops. Especially in summer, the piazza becomes an open-air gallery when various exhibitions are shown.
Gastronomic specialties of the city
Small works of art are served to tourists in restaurants. These mostly come from the sea. Fine vegetable dishes with very fresh herbs and mostly combined with beef are also served. Becoming divine foods Tuscany wines offered.
Bisteccheria de Il Vaticano
The Bisteccheria de Il Vaticano is not a restaurant for vegetarians. In the rustic ambience of the historic vault, holidaymakers can expect excellent meat dishes of the best quality. These include steaks, tartar, fillet, T-bones and much more. Everything is cooked perfectly. In addition, the meat is accompanied by particularly fresh vegetables. These delicious main courses are complemented by small starters and dolci. In addition, guests get a well-stocked wine list. Il Vaticano is an absolute insider tip for all meat lovers.
The best pizza at «Pizza 55»
Im pizza 55 Via Guiseppe Garibaldi has the very best pizza in town. These include ruccola pizza, pizza breads and also vegetarian pizzas. The menu is well filled with many classics and novelties from healthy to extravagant. The quality convinces with fresh ingredients in every pizza.
Locanda di Bruni
It is a bit hidden on a small hill Locanda di Bruni. This cozy, small restaurant convinces with a good and varied cuisine, from which meat eaters and vegetarians alike are satisfied with great pleasure. Above all, seafood, vegetables, soups and pasta are on the menu. The excellent cuisine of the Locanda di Bruno is very well known.
The quality has got around both among the locals and among the tourists, so that the Locanda is particularly popular with a mixed and cheerful crowd in the evenings.
The historical center
In the very narrow streets of the old town, tourists and visitors will encounter many monuments and palaces from bygone times.
The unique atmosphere of this Tuscan city can be enjoyed while strolling through the center of the village. Art lovers can look around in the many galleries or visit exhibitions that are constantly taking place in this church of St. Augustine and also on Domplatz.
Culture is very important in the place. This can be seen in the many markets, cultural events, theatrical performances, folk festivals and trade fairs. The attractive gardens and parks and the handsome villas of Pietrasanta also make for the beautiful flair.
