Massa Carrara.
Carrara, the biggest and most important world centre
for the excavation , working and commerce of marble,
is situated at the foot of the Apuan Alps, nesteld
in the middle of green hills. The name of the town
comes from the root "Kar" (stone) which
witnesses its ancient origin. At first it was a small
village inhabited by the the peaceful tribes of Liguri
and Apuani, then it became the trading centre of Luni,
a colony founded by the Romans who first exploited
the rich marble quarries. Because of its strategic
and favourable position as well as its natural richness
offered by marble, Carrara was continuosly sought
after . During the Middle Age it was under Byzantine
and Lombard rule and in 1235 it became a city-state
having the coat of arms with the wheel that is still
in use. In the age of the "Seigniory" Carrara
was under the Marquisate of Malaspina then it became
a Principality with the Cybo family and a Duchy with
the Este family. Carrara was annexed by means of a
plebiscite to the Italian Kingdom in 1859.
