Piazza Alberica

Piazza Alberica, located in the heart of Carrara, Italy, is a captivating blend of history, architecture, and vibrant local life. This grand rectangular square is not only the largest but also the most significant historical piazza in Carrara. Originally an uninhabited area known as Platea Porcorum, where livestock markets once took place, it was transformed into a bustling economic hub in the second half of the 16th century by Alberico I Cybo-Malaspina, after whom the piazza is named.

The History of Piazza Alberica

The transformation of Piazza Alberica began on May 10, 1557, with the laying of the first stone of the new city walls of Carrara nova, a project spearheaded by Alberico I Cybo-Malaspina. This ambitious urban development plan was designed to solidify his image as the absolute ruler of Massa and Carrara. As part of this grand vision, the entire urban layout of the city was redesigned, with new buildings erected along newly constructed streets and squares. Piazza Alberica became the symbolic and economic center of the city.

During the 17th century, the square continued to evolve, with significant roads constructed to draw attention to the era's most important buildings, such as the Palazzo del Medico. The piazza also became a focal point for commerce, with merchants gathering here on Tuesdays to trade marble, livestock, wine, agricultural products, and beech logs used for transporting marble to the valley.

Exploring Piazza Alberica

Today, Piazza Alberica is a vibrant and picturesque square, surrounded by stunning Renaissance and Baroque buildings painted in warm hues of pink, red, and yellow. Each year, the laying of the first stone of Carrara Nova is commemorated, celebrating the historical significance of this event.

At the center of the piazza stands the majestic Fontana della Beatrice, a neoclassical fountain featuring a marble statue of Maria Beatrice d'Este, sculpted by Pietro Fontana in 1824. The statue, perched on a high pedestal adorned with bas-reliefs, is an iconic symbol of the square. The fountain's basin is made from the renowned white marble extracted from the nearby Apuan Alps quarries.

The Palazzi of Piazza Alberica

The square is lined with several grand palazzi that reflect the opulence and architectural prowess of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Among these is the Palazzo Diana, also known as Palazzo delle Logge, a Renaissance masterpiece commissioned by Iacopo Diana and designed by Giorgio Vasari. This palazzo features a long loggia with twelve arches supported by slender marble columns and a row of windows on the upper floor. It was completed by Alfonso Parigi in the late 16th century.

Another notable building is the Palazzo del Medico, a Baroque edifice designed by Alessandro Bergamini. This palazzo, with its grand red façade and marble bas-reliefs, was once home to the Del Medico family, prominent marble quarry owners who traded with European nobility. The palazzo also hosted notable figures such as Antonio Canova in 1783 and Empress Maria Anna of Savoy in 1851.

The Casa Natale di Pietro Tacca, the birthplace of the renowned Mannerist sculptor, is also located in the square. An inscription on the building honors Tacca, who was a pupil and later a rival of Giambologna. The house later became the residence of another famous sculptor, Benedetto Cacciatori, who passed away there in 1871.

Other significant palazzi include the Palazzo dei Conti Orsolini, with its beautiful Baroque portal and family crest, and the Palazzo dei Conti Luciani, a Baroque structure with ornate windows and an unfinished top floor. The Palazzo Fabbricotti, originally built by the Tonetti family and later restored by the Fabbricotti family, features a decorated portal, an airy courtyard, and a characteristic fountain. Lastly, the Palazzo delle Cariatidi, with its marble façade adorned with sculptures representing the four seasons, adds to the square's architectural charm.

The Fontana della Beatrice

The centerpiece of Piazza Alberica is the Fontana della Beatrice, a neoclassical fountain that exudes elegance and historical significance. The marble statue of Maria Beatrice d'Este, sculpted by Pietro Fontana, stands proudly atop the fountain, symbolizing the return of the sovereign after Napoleon's fall. The pedestal, designed by Lorenzo Bartolini, and the bas-reliefs by Matteo Bogazzi, Giuseppe del Nero, and Giovanni Tacca, depict various allegorical scenes, including Minerva presenting the Genius of Sculpture to Carrara and Maria Beatrice surrounded by figures representing Charity, Justice, and Religion.

In conclusion, Piazza Alberica is not just a historical square but a living testament to Carrara's rich heritage and architectural splendor. Its vibrant atmosphere, stunning buildings, and historical significance make it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting this charming Italian city.