Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±

Duomo di San Martino

Northwestern Tuscany


Grandiose white-marble steps flank Pietrasanta's attractive cathedral, built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier church dating from 1250. Its distinctive 36m-tall, freestanding, red-brick bell tower is actually unfinished; the red brick was intended to have a marble cladding when designed by Donato Benti in the 15th century. The cathedral interior dates from the 17th century, with fine frescoes by Florentine painter Luigi Ademello (1764–1849) in the dome and nave.

Watch for organ concerts in the cathedral and summertime art exhibitions that occasionally open up the bell tower and the unusual helix-shaped staircase hidden inside – a treat not to be missed – to visitors.


Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby Northwestern Tuscany attractions

1. Battistero di Pietrasanta

0.02 MILES

Around the corner from the cathedral on pedestrian Via Garibaldi is this atmospheric old-world baptistry. The pair of baptismal fonts – one originally in…

2. Museo dei Bozzetti

0.04 MILES

Inside the convent adjoining Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, this small museum explores the evolution of modern sculpture through 700-odd bozzetti (maquettes or…

3. Chiesa di Sant'Agostino

0.07 MILES

The far end of Piazza del Duomo is dominated by the 13th-century stone hulk of this deconsecrated church. Once dedicated to St Augustine, today the…

4. Via della Rocca

0.08 MILES

Next to Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, a steep path known as Via della Rocca leads up to the remnants of Pietrasanta's ancient fortifications. The crenellated…

5. Chiesa della Misericordia

0.16 MILES

Tucked between shops on Via Mazzini is this precious chapel, frescoed with the Gate of Paradise and Gate of Hell by Fernando Botero (b 1932). Spot the…

6. La Citadella di Carnevale

4.42 MILES

A couple of kilometres from the seafront is 'Carnival City', aka 16 gargantuan hangars that serve as workshops and garage space for the fantastic floats,…

7. Bagno Raffaello

5.97 MILES

Behind the clock tower on the seafront, this family-friendly bathing establishment rents out slide-equipped pedalos and canoes to beach-goers and has a…

8. Bagno Martinelli

6.04 MILES

An eye-catching sea of bright orange-and-white parasols and deckchairs polka-dot the vast stretch of sand at this vintage beach, as popular as it was when…