Palazzo Cybo Malaspina Ducal Palace

"Among the most beautiful and well-known buildings in Carrara is the Palazzo Cybo Malaspina. Also known as the Palazzo Ducale, it is located in the historic center and dates back to the Middle Ages. Its core is the Malaspina Castle, dating back to the twelfth century, while the later structure forms the basis of the Renaissance-style noble residence. It currently houses the Academy of Fine Arts, with bibliographic and art collections."

Fiorentino Stornaiuolo

"The Cybo Malaspina palace is a monumental complex that combines the medieval castle (13th century) and a Renaissance palace (16th century) originally the residence of the Malaspina and then Cybo Malaspina, today it houses the Academy of Fine Arts. Characterized by crenellated towers, Renaissance courtyards and a rich history linked to Carrara marble. Difficult to visit the interiors."

Giacomo Remondina (Mino)

"The ancient fortress dates back to 1187, but it was Guglielmo Malaspina, of the "flowering branch," who commissioned the Cybo Malaspina Palace, which, from 1448, became the official residence of the powerful family... at least until its fall. The construction encompasses two distinct historical periods. The first dates back to the 13th century with the Malaspina Castle; the second to the 16th century with the work begun by Alberigo I and completed by Charles I on the Renaissance Palace. Today it is home to the Academy of Fine Arts. Inside, entering the atrium of the Palace, one immediately encounters the Marble Staircase, restored in 1924, of exquisite workmanship, and... descending the ramp among sculptures and plaster casts, including the Winged Victory (the original is in the Louvre), one reaches the Hall of Columns. Here is the Institute's Library, which houses, among other things, two original editions of the Encyclopédie by Diderot and D'Alamert; the ancient collection and the Zaccagna Archives, and... a black marble Cavallino by Dazzi. Arturo Dazzi lived in Carrara between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in a love-hate relationship with the locals, the Carrara natives, a tough, anarchic people who never forgave him for his adherence to Fascism but immediately loved his art. Returning back to the atrium, you can access the Sala dei Nobili, better known as the Sala dei Marmi, with a marble collection unique in Italy (here, in addition to marble from the Carrara quarries, you'll find prized Italian marbles, including extinct marbles). Ascending the Grand Staircase, a painting by Giulio Marchetti, The Marble Quarries at Sunset. On the Piano Nobile, in the atrium, is a plaster cast by Canova of Letizia Ramolino Bonaparte, Napoleon's mother (tradition has it that Canova donated two plaster casts to the Academy, Napoleon as Mars the Peacemaker and Letizia Bonaparte, in exchange for two blocks of marble stored on the beach at Avenza). Here are works by Tenerani, the Geniuses of Hunting and Fishing, and the paintings and oil paintings of the Four Seasons, attributed to Appiani. In the Aula Magna (formerly the Prince's State Room), a coffered ceiling and a 3.30-meter-high Murano glass chandelier from 1930 are displayed. Some of the Academy's most significant plaster casts were installed here, including the Parthenon Parcae; the Farnese Hercules; the Venus de Milo; and the Laocoon. Continuing along corridors and galleries, you reach what was once the Prince's private residence and now the Presidential and Administrative Offices (not open to visitors), which feature original frescoes and period furnishings. You can also see works of art such as a plaster cast copy of Michelangelo's Dying Slave; busts of illustrious figures associated with the Academy; and a unique view of the Covered Courtyard. Returning to the ground floor, you can access the Plaster Cast Gallery, which houses, among other things, Canova's plaster casts (the Boxers Creugas and Damoxenus; the Reclining Magdalen; the Dancer with her Finger to Her Chin; Canova's Self-Portrait; the Group of Venus and Adonis; and finally the Funeral Monument dedicated to Vittorio Alfieri). Finally, the Medieval Courtyard, where, in addition to the Roman works, there are also the works from the "Pensionato a Roma" Prize (established by Elisa Baciocchi in 1807 to allow the winner an internship in Rome at famous ateliers)... here, among others, are works by Pietro Tenerani; Luigi Bienaimé; Carlo Fontana; and Arturo Dazzi. Also in the Courtyard is the famous Fantiscritti shrine; a Roman shrine with effigies of Hercules, Jupiter, and Dionysius where famous artists have left their "signatures," including Michelangelo, Giambologna, and Canova, detached from the Canova quarry in 1863. A truly interesting place... I hope I've described what I saw carefully enough, and I hope I haven't caused any confusion... I've certainly forgotten a few names. If that's the case, please correct me."

Michele De Gruttola