Pietrasanta is a small city but one that embodies a great history. Walking through its main streets we cannot fail to be enchanted by the extreme beauty of the buildings that surround us, by the squares, by the monuments of great sculptors that dot the historic center and by the splendid view of the hills behind. Pietrasanta is famous all over the world and its center is always alive, frequented both in summer and in winter, a destination for famous and emerging artists who come to find inspiration and get in touch with the wonderful artistic heritage of the place. More and more people decide to stay in Pietrasanta for the holidays: to discover the wonders that the place can offer. If you too are wondering what to visit in Little Athens, here are what we think are the 10 unmissable stops:
THE CATHEDRAL OF SAN MARTINO
The Cathedral of San Martino is certainly the first important building in the historic center of Pietrasanta to visit if you arrive in the town. Imposing in the center of the square of the same name, inside it is characterized by elements that bring it closer to the cathedral. The building on the outside is completely covered with white marble and the central nave houses an elegant rose window in finely worked marble, attributed to the artist Riccomanno Riccomanni. Inside, the church has a Latin cross plan and it is possible to admire works from different eras, among the most beautiful we mention the Almsina di San Martino by Jacopo Vignali, the Madonna del Rosario and saints by Matteo Rosselli and the Nativity by Pier Dandini . The sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna del Sole is wonderful, also inside the Collegiate Church, where a painting of the Madonna with child dated 1424 is kept: according to an ancient tradition, the painting is always covered and is discovered only on a few days, in particular on the 8th. September, the last Sunday of November, the Saturday before Palm Sunday and the last day of May.
LA ROCCA DI SALA
Once in Piazza del Duomo it will be enough to raise our gaze towards the hills to see the majestic Rocca di Sala, also known as Rocca Ghibellina, the mighty fortification that overlooks the historic center. It was built during the Lombard period, around the 11th century, to protect the village that later became Pietrasanta. La Rocca is easily reachable on foot through an uphill path that starts right from Piazza del Duomo. Once you reach the top, you can admire the entire surrounding landscape, with a view that includes the Cathedral of Pietrasanta, the square, the beautiful bell tower and which extends to the sea. It is certainly the most interesting vantage point from which to take beautiful photographs of the city of Pietrasanta.
MUSEO DI BOZZETTI
One of the most important museums Pietrasanta can boast of is certainly the Museo dei Bozzetti, located in the marvelous Sant'Agostino complex, the building that overlooks Piazza del Duomo and inside which, in addition to the Museum, we can find the rich municipal library. The Museum houses 700 sketches of sculptures by over 350 artists from all over the world who over time have chosen Pietrasanta as the location for their workshops. Visiting the museum we will be immersed in an enchanting journey towards the sculptural creations of the master craftsmen.
THE BAPTISTERY
Located in Via Garibaldi, facing a facade of the splendid Cathedral of Pietrasanta, we can meet the beautiful Oratory of San Giacinto, also known as the Baptistery of the Cathedral of Pietrasanta, built in the seventeenth century by the company of the Blessed Sacrament. The Oratory was later, towards the end of the 1700s, handed over to the Collegiate Church of San Martino which used it as a baptistery. Inside we find two wonderful marble baptismal fonts, the first by Bonuccio Pardini, hexagonal in shape, the second by Donato Benti and Nicolò Civitali, later completed by Orazio Bergamini and Fabrizio Pelliccia. The vault and the partets of the baptistery are marvelous, painted by Pietro Cavatorta from Cremona. A little gem not to be missed.
THE FRESCOES OF BOTERO
In the main street of Pietrasanta, via Mazzini also known as "Via di Mezzo", inside the small but beautiful Church of San Biagio and Sant'Antonio Abate, it is possible to admire two real masterpieces by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, from a life linked to the small town. The frescoes, placed on the two opposite sides of the church, represent two visions of Hell and Heaven. The Gate of Hell depicts a hellish scene with dead, demons and flames, while the Gate of Heaven depicts the Garden of Eden with the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus surrounded by angelic figures and saints. The two frescoes are impressive and wonderful, full of many small details to observe carefully, a destination not to be missed if you are passionate about art!
Are you curious to know what are the other 5 unmissable stops for an unforgettable tour of Pietrasanta? Follow us and stay tuned!
