2 – ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (ENG)

The Carrara Academy of Fine Arts is housed within the Cybo Malaspina Palace. The building, whose earliest structure dates back to the 12th century, initially served as the Malaspina family castle. After the family’s decline, it was transformed into a residential palace by Alberico I during the Renaissance. It was in the 16th century that a new adjoining structure was added to the preexisting medieval fortress, now serving as the main entrance to the Academy.

The 15th-century courtyard is highly evocative, featuring a loggia-style design and adorned with an important collection of Roman marbles divided into three categories: figurative artifacts, religious and funerary monuments, and architectural elements. Among the most valuable pieces preserved here are those sourced from Carrara’s local quarries.

Located in the heart of Carrara, adjacent to the charming Gramsci square, the building is near a pedestrian street but offers access directly in front of the entrance with a municipal permit.

The Great Hall is often used for high-profile events of global significance (featuring artists like Maurizio Cattelan, Abramović, and Jeff Koons), and the Academy’s picturesque library, located on the ground floor, has also been the setting for numerous photo shoots.

Utilities are fully operational as the Academy remains an active educational institution. Use of the venue as a location is permitted only on weekends.