Forte dei Marmi: Pier, Culture and Dunes

Forte dei Marmi combines coastal landscapes, art and natural areas. The Forte Lorenese, known as Il Fortino, was built in 1788 at the behest of Leopold I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, as a fortification and gave Forte dei Marmi its name. The original pier was also designed by Giovanni Costantini in 1788; it was five metres wide and 325 metres long.

The Pier, Fortino and Marble as Local History

Today, the pier serves as a meeting place for fishermen, artists, residents and visitors. It is also the starting point of the “Vittoria Apuana, the Dunes and Lake Porta” itinerary, which can be travelled by bicycle or car. The Fortino Leopoldo I. hosts exhibitions and cultural activities throughout the year.

In Vittoria Apuana stands the church built from 1926 to 1933 and dedicated to Saint Francis. Marble from the nearby Apuan Alps was used for the window frames, floors, columns and altar. In front of the Church of San Francesco, a sculpture by Arturo Dazzi was unveiled in 1962 in the artist’s presence. It was made from a single block of marble and depicts Saint Francis in conversation with the wolf.

Art and Events in Vittoria Apuana

The Ugo Guidi Museum is located in the artist’s former home, where he lived until his death on 10 July 1977. His collection comprises more than 500 sculptures and drawings and documents Ugo Guidi’s artistic development from the 1940s through the final years of his work. Visits are possible only by prior appointment.

The 19th-century Villa Bertelli in Vittoria Apuana houses the Quarto Platano Museum of Modern Art as well as year-round music series, talk shows, book presentations and exhibitions. In addition, the Fondazione Villa Bertelli organises indoor and outdoor events throughout the year. The Museo della satira e della caricatura in Forte dei Marmi is a centre for preserving, collecting and researching materials on the global history of satire and caricature. The museum owns an extensive collection of contemporary and historical satirical drawings and presents changing exhibitions according to an annual calendar.

Dunes, Rear Dune Forest and Protected Wetlands

The Dune di Forte dei Marmi area combines natural dunes with a rear dune forest. It is the only flat wetland in northern Tuscany and the only stretch of the entire Tuscan coast with this combination. The WWF Dune di Forte dei Marmi Oasis is a remaining habitat for typical sandy plants of the northern Tuscan coast, which have almost disappeared there.

A section near Forte dei Marmi described in the itinerary has been part of the protected Dune di Forte dei Marmi nature area since 2008. The protected Lake Porta wetland directly borders the itinerary area.

Forte dei Marmi between Culture and Nature

The town’s themes are spread across distinctive areas: the pier and the Fortino represent history, events and public life; Vittoria Apuana represents marble, museums and culture, while Dune di Forte dei Marmi and Lake Porta define the natural environment.

Forte dei Marmi also has strong regional culinary connections. Tordelli are half-moon-shaped, fresh filled pasta served with plenty of meat sauce. In Seravezza, Camaiore, Pietrasanta, Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi and Massarosa, they are traditionally served on feast days. The patron saint festivities for Sant’Ermete in Forte dei Marmi include market stalls and fireworks at the pier—another occasion when this distinctive site takes centre stage.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

For further regional orientation, you can also consider Pietrasanta, Villa Basilica, Pugliano, Cerageto, Trassilico, Corsanico, Camaiore and Careggine.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lucca.