Archaeological finds uncovered in the marble quarries, tools for the extraction and processing of marble from Roman ages to our current techniques, and a multimedia area: the Marble Museum – born in 1982 by the City of Carrara’s initiative – is the true seat of our city’s historic memory, collecting and documenting its long-standing tie to marble, so as to preserve it and promote it.

Throughout the years, the Museum has sponsored exhibitions, expositions and conferences, contributing in the creation of an inseparable tie between material culture, historic memory and cultural heritage, fulfilled through the Biennali, the Sculpture Symposiums, and by local artisanal workshops.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, the Museum’s indoor exhibition rooms and outdoor area provide the viewer with a complex and fascinating image of our local heritage, featuring the exhibition “Roman Archaeology and local history”, which includes precious historic finds unearthed in the marble quarries; Italy’s vastest collection of marbles, which includes more than 300 specimens; the exhibition “Industrial archaeology”, featuring tools and equipment for the extraction of marble from Roman times to the present day; “Technical applications”, with examples of art design; the plaster “Casts”, and reproductions of the statues located on the façade of the Duomo.

The building dates back to the 17^th century, when it housed a number of Franciscan friars. It was later remodeled and expanded, changing its intended use on multiple occasions (from hospital to school building to a nursing home for elders), until it was selected by the City for cultural purposes. Renovation works began in 1999 to adapt the building to its current function.

The building is rectangular, with a covered surface of around 1100 mq, and features two levels constructed around the typical central courtyard that characterized monastic buildings of the time. The bearing walls are in natural stone decorated with brick elements. The ceilings are partially vaulted, and partially covered by wood beams, while the wood covering at the four sides of the rectangle is pitched.

The two levels are structured around the central courtyard, and feature wide corridors looking out onto its perimeter and onto all the areas housing the exhibition, our offices and the museum’s services.