5 things to see in Forte dei Marmi

Set like a jewel between the sea and the mountains, Forte dei Marmi is known as one of the most exclusive and worldly tourist destinations in Italy. But in addition to the luxurious bathing establishments and fashionable clubs, there are also many things to see. We have selected five not to be missed. Let’s discover them together!

The Pier

The pier is undoubtedly one of the symbols of Forte di Marmi. From the bridge, as it is affectionately called by the people of Forte Marmi, one can admire both the magnificence of the sea and the grandeur of the mountains (behind it). In the second half of the 19th century, the town became an important junction for marbles and this made it necessary to build a structure to facilitate the loading of the ships. Thus it was that the wharf was erected between 1876 and 1877 to a design by engineer Giovanni Costantini. It remained in operation until the Second World War, when it was bombed and destroyed by the Germans. Later, in 1955, it was rebuilt and this is how it has come down to us with its 275 metres in length.

The Fort Lorenese

Another symbol of Forte dei Marmi is the Fort Lorenese, known to all as ‘Il Fortino’. It stands in what is now Piazza Garibaldi and, in addition to its name, even appears on the municipal coat of arms. It is a military construction erected at the end of the 18th century by Pietro Leopoldo I Grand Duke of Tuscany to strengthen the defence system of coastal towers. Over time, the structure has had various uses and currently houses the Museum of Satire and Caricature. The latter, created from the works submitted to the Political Satire Prize (which still represent the main material in the collection), has a wide range of modern and past satirical drawings. Among the authors on display are the likes of Lorenzo Viani, Angiolo Tricca, George Cruikshank and Milo Manara.

The Church of Sant’Ermete

Located in the centre of the town, the Church of Sant’Ermete is dedicated to the patron saint of Forte dei Marmi. In 1777, a small church was built on the initiative of Pietro Leopoldo I, but due to the increase in population, it was necessary to build a new church, the present one, which was opened for worship in 1870. Inside, there are many valuable elements, including: the chapel of the baptismal font and that of the Madonna Addolorata (patron saint of the town together with the martyr saint), the marble pulpit, numerous statues of saints and the valuable pipe organ built in 1999 by the Marin Brothers. A festival is also dedicated to the patron saint (in the last days of August) that symbolically marks the end of summer.

Villa Bertelli

Villa Bertelli is a 19th-century villa located in the centre of Vittoria Apuana (a hamlet of Forte dei Marmi). It was built in 1896 as the headquarters of the Società Italiana Prodotti Esplodenti (SIPE). After the First World War, due to the collapse in demand for war materials, SIPE was forced to close its doors and the building was bought by Ilio Bertelli, who converted it into a hotel, under the name of Villa Bertelli. In 1971, the business closed and the villa remained in a state of abandonment until the early 2000s, when it became the property of the municipality of Forte dei Marmi. Transformed into an exhibition space, it now hosts (in the inner rooms and in the park-garden) exhibitions and cultural events of great appeal.

The Ugo Guidi Museum

Also in Vittoria Apuana is the Ugo Guidi Museum, which is definitely worth a visit. This is the house-studio where the sculptor Ugo Guidi (1912-1977), a well-known name in the Versilia art world, lived and worked until his death. Some 600 works, including sculptures, drawings and tempera paintings by the artist, are on permanent display here. The exhibition traces Guidi’s entire career. All his working tools are still preserved in the studio: easels, mallets, rasps, palettes, Indian ink and brushes. Temporary exhibitions and cultural and artistic meetings are also held at the museum.

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