Marble, from the Greek word “marmaros” means shining stone.It is this stone that gave birth to the city of Carrara.This white gold has allowed the development, not only of the city, but also of a people.The Romans were the first to discover this great marble wealth.From that moment the whole history and economy of Carrara has been linked to marble, its extraction and processing.Today, large and small works made with this precious stone can be found all over the world.One of the most famous is Michelangelo's Pietà, the well-known sculptor spent a total of two years here to attend the "masters of marble quarrying".Today the Apuan Alps continue to change their appearance and to be excavated, but in addition to hosting an incessant and historical mining activity, they have also become an interesting and original tourist attraction.It is in fact possible to organize tours, the Carrara Marble Tour, to visit some of the main quarries in activity, climbing the mountains on 4 × 4 bikes.Obviously, everything necessary is given to carry out these visits in complete safety, since the quarries are still active.In fact, you will be surrounded by working people, trucks turning and machinery in operation, but this will not disturb the visit, but rather will make it more interesting and attractive.Tours are usually carried out at the Fantiscritti Quarries.Once you arrive at your destination, the spectacle is truly incredible, you find yourself between the shimmering white of the marble, the dark green of the mountains and the deep blue of the sea.A unique landscape, which is not seen anywhere else.And even if this would already be reason enough for the visit, the surprises do not end.In fact, just enter the quarry in the Ravaccione tunnel to be even more surprised.Many would perhaps expect to enter a gloomy, narrow, heavy-looking environment, and instead find yourself inside a large space with high ceilings, well lit and airy.It is fascinating to see the play of light and shadows that form the marble blocks.You can easily wander around a part of the quarry as it is no longer used for extraction, but has instead taken on the function of a cellar to ferment the wine.Going back outside, you almost risk being blinded by the glare of the marble that shines in the sun, but after having recovered your view well, it is interesting to go and see the Quarry Museum of the Fantiscritti.Born in 1986 from the passion of a private individual, it collects the history of the quarries with statues of different sculptors and a collection of tools that were used for extraction and transport.Here you can understand how the way and technique of working has changed over time, passing from excavation by hand and transport with wagons and oxen to helical wire and lizzatura to get to the present day diamond wire and trucks.However, starting with the extraction of marble, various other activities have also developed.For example, there are more than 200 artisans, sculpture and artistic workshops in the area.One of the most famous and renowned is that of Monfroni.A sculpture, an artist who is commissioned works from all over the world and who realizes them without using elaborate and technological machinery, but only his expert hands.But many other unexpected things can also be done with marble.There are those in Carrara who have created a fine line of perfumes starting from marble and its characteristics.“The scents of marble” are five fragrances inspired by the white gold of the Apuan Alps and in which you can hear the roar of the sea and the power of the mountain.The five perfumes take their name from the stone they are inspired by: Calacatta, Statuario, Arabescato, Portoro and Bianco Carrara.These are unisex bouquets that can be found in the form of perfumes for the body and for the environment, in their precious bottles made of glass, with the cap made of the marble they are inspired by.Two limited editions are now added to these fragrances: Rosso Verona and Eminentia and an Art Collection: Bugia.The latter consists of a perfumed work of art.The bottle is in fact a small sculpture created by the sculptor Francesco Siani.What unites and distinguishes all these different activities related to marble is undoubtedly the passion of those who make them.A passion that comes from the love for one's land and the recognition of a uniqueness, a resource that cannot be found elsewhere.All these and other activities and characteristics of the area will be presented from 2 to 9 June at the White Carrara Downtown.Text and photos by Chiara Dalla Fontana | Reproduction reserved © Latitudeslife.comLatitudes is an independent newspaper, free and accessible to all.Every day we produce quality articles and photos because we believe in journalism as a mission.Ours is a free voice, but the choice not to have a strong publisher to account for means that our revenues are only those of advertising, today in a very serious crisis.For this reason we ask you to 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