Forte dei Marmi

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Comune di Forte dei Marmi
Coat of arms of Comune di Forte dei Marmi
Municipal coat of arms
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Tuscany
Province Lucca (LU)
Mayor Umberto Zittellone Buratti
Elevation 2 m (7 ft)
Area 9 km² (3 sq mi)
Population (as of 2001)
 - Total 8,280
 - Density 920/km² (2,383/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 43°57′N, 10°11′E
Gentilic Fortemarmini
Dialing code 0584
Postal code 55042
Frazioni Caranna, Vittoria Apuana, Vaiana, Roma Imperiale
Patron St. Hermes Martyr
 - Day August 28
Website: www.comune.fortedeimarmi.lucca.it

Forte dei Marmi is a sea town and comune in the province of Lucca, in northern Tuscany (Italy). It is the birthplace of Paola Ruffo di Calabria, Queen of the Belgians.

The census of 2001 states that Forte dei Marmi has 8.444 inhabitants, though population nearly triples during the summer, because of the hundreds of tourist who mainly come from Florence, Milan, Germany, and Russia. Tourism is the principal activity of Forte dei Marmi's citizens.

In Italian Forte dei Marmi means Fort of the marbles. In fact, the town takes its name from the fortress that rises in the middle of the main square, built under Grand Duke Peter Leopold, who was to become Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1788. The fortress was built to defende the coast from outer attacks, but in the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century it became the place where the marble quarried from the Alpi Apuane (they are the same mountains of the famous marble of Carrara) was stocked before being sent to the pier for shipping.

Forte dei Marmi's field hockey team is in the Italian A-league.

[edit] Main sights

  • The Fortress (Italian Fortino), after being employed as a postal service office, is now a museum of satirical art.
  • The Fortress was severely damaged by a recent earthquake.

The city is well known for its bevy of Scandinavian visitors, all of which typically come to look for an entertaining stay, which often includes partying at some of Italy's premier hotspots. The town is littered with over 130 night clubs and nearly 300 restaurants of top quality, including Mario Batalli's world renowned Risotrante Picolo.

[edit] Links

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