Pietrasanta between art & handcraft

As my readers know, I am quite familiar with Versilia seaside. I always spent my summer season there when I was young, so I supposed not to may discover any special news from the Blogtour I enjoy today around Pietrasanta with DonneèWeb OnOff programme. But I could not be more than wrong!

Today I discover a real “unconventional” Pietrasanta: learn about how to plan an effective geo-marketing strategy to support a territory, discover one of the nicest luxury hotel in the town I ignored before, taste some delicious cookies I have never heard despite my long hollidays there and, finally but not the last, met one of the most impressive artist-handicraftsman who works there.

Just start from the beginning…

Albergo Pietrasanta is one of those luxury hotel where you can really feel like home…or probably better than home!! Each room has unique antique furniture and contemporary art masterpieces inside (almost 60 pcs in total in the hotel); any detail is not left to chance…even bathrooms in old fashion style are something really impressive. Moreover, this hotel is child-friendly, pet-friendly (with students from Pisa University that take care of your small friends while you are  out) and gay friendly…really wish to may spend at least one night there!!

Pietrasanta historical centre is always very impressive. Just walk around Piazza Duomo and discover main shopping streets with traditional shops, like Pasticceria Dazzi (former Pietrasantese) where you can taste all year long the tipical Marzapane, a delicious almond cake, similar to ricciarelli but non exaclty the same…simply yummy!
Few steps away, don’t miss Botero paintings in S.Biagio Chapel: The door to Paradise and The door to Hell are a unique masterpiece made from the artist in 1993 you can still visit for free.

After a lunch where Cecina (chickpea flour cake) with focaccia could not miss, Piero Giannoni mosaic articraft opened its laboratory to us and has been a real “unconventional” experience.

Piero is an artist, without any doubt, even if he describe himself like an handicraftmen. His masterpieces made with small colored glass are simply marvelous: Climt kiss, as well as Caravaggio or Ciulla mosaic are simply wonderful. No the less, portraits in black and white of Marilin and M.Jackson, as well as self portraits of President Napolitano or Roberto Cavalli and other famous italian people.


He started working when he was 11 as “boy” in a local laboratory and never stopped to make mosaic in his life. In Piero works in a district with other handicraftsmen/artists who work marble or  bronze. All main contemporary artists passed from here: Dalì in the past years, Folon and Botero in the recent past and today Ciulla, Indiana and many many others…

While I was coming back home today listening Adele, I was thinking about how many marvelous places and genious persons our Tuscany still have to reveal and I am much more happy to may discover such unconventional stories thanks to my blog and to may share it with you!