Apuane

The Apuan Alps, or Alpi Apuane in Italian, are a limestone mountain range in north-western Tuscany, Italy. They form a rugged spine that runs roughly northeast–southwest between the Lunigiana area to the north and the Tyrrhenian coast to the west, crossing parts of the provinces of Lucca and Massa-Carrara. The highest point is Monte Pisanino, at about 1,946 meters above sea level.

Geologically, the Alpi Apuane are dominated by limestone and dolostone. The landscape is deeply sculpted by erosion, producing sharp ridges, steep cliffs and extensive karst features such as caves and natural arches. The range is particularly famous for its marble, quarried at Carrara since antiquity and continuously exploited into the present.

Economy and culture: The Carrara marble quarries have shaped the region’s economy and landscape for centuries, providing high‑quality white marble used in sculpture and building worldwide. Towns such as Carrara, Massa, and Seravezza are closely tied to quarrying and processing of marble.

Protection and recreation: Much of the range is included in the Parco Naturale delle Alpi Apuane, a protected area that conserves its unique geology, flora and fauna. The mountains are popular for hiking, mountaineering and rock climbing, with several via ferrata routes and long trekking itineraries, while mining activity is regulated to mitigate environmental impact.

Name and history: The name derives from the ancient Ligurian people known as the Apuani, who inhabited Lunigiana. The Alpi Apuane have long been recognised for their marble, which attracted artists and builders from antiquity to the modern era.