Culture
At various times, famous personalities have lived in
these places contributing to the cultural life of villages, mainly
inhabited by farmers and fishermen. Michelangelo often used to come to
Carrara,
Dante Alighieri was guest in several
castles
of
Lunigiana, Byron and Shelley
lived and gave their name to the
Gulf
of Poets.

Our
mountains
have always been a meeting place for writers and sculptors.
Artisans specialised in sculpture, besides making copies
of works of art of famous artists, hand down their experience and
techniques to young sculptors.
The
Nicoli workshop is one of the most specialized sculpting studios.
Schools of sculpture, the Biennale Internazionale
(International Biennial Sculpture Exhibition), the
Fine
Art Academy and the
International
"Bancarella" Prize have become a steady attraction, and not
only for tourists!
Versilia, in the 20's and 30's, was
host to all the major creators of works of art in the
Liberty
style and many traces are still visible.

In
Volterra at
Villa Palagione
you can take part in courses such as: Italian language, cultural
treasures of Tuscany, painting, alabaster, music, riding, Tuscan cuisine...
Beside documenting the past, the Museum of Natural
History in
Aulla and the Botanical
Gardens, which are to be found both in the park of the
Apuan
Alps and the Appenines, detail and illustrate the environmental
aspects of the Mediterranean coast with caves,
springs
and aquariums.