Forte dei Marmi

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = fortedeimarmi-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Forte dei Marmi
region = Tuscany
province = Lucca (LU)
elevation_m = 2
area_total_km2 = 9
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 8280
population_density_km2 = 920
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|43|57|N|10|11|E
frazioni = Caranna, Vittoria Apuana, Vaiana, Roma Imperiale
telephone = 0584
postalcode = 55042
gentilic = Fortemarmini
saint = St. Hermes Martyr
day = August 28
mayor = Umberto Zittellone Buratti| website = [http://www.comune.fortedeimarmi.lucca.it/ 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.

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 Ristorante Piccolo.

Links

* [http://www.for.temarmi.com Forte dei Marmi - ForteMarmi.com]