Carrara lies at the foot of the Apuan Alps in the province of Massa-Carrara, Italy. The population of Carrara is approximately 65,296. It is famous for the extraction and manufacture of its marble, with which some of the most important Italian architectural and sculpture monuments are made.

The Carrara marble quarries have been exploited for more than 2000 years. The marble is known for its perfection of shape of the crystals, as well as its incredible transparency and sharpness. Among the best minerals are the fantastic quartz crystals, famed for their perfect shape. It should be noted that the Marble Arch in London and the Duomo of Siena are made from this famous stone.

Many famous sculptures of the Renaissance, such as Michelangelo's David, were carved from Carrara marble. More than 1,000 companies are working within the sector with almost 100 quarries located in the city. Within Carrara are academies of sculpture and fine arts and a museum of statuaries and antiquities.

Among the main sites of the city are the Ducal Palace (16th century), now the seat of the Fine Arts Academy and the Cathedral (12th century).