Welcome back to Six Weeks of Summer: Postcards from Italy where we take you on a journey to our favorite and most captivating destinations in our home country of Italy. This is our tribute… our love letter. We hope that you feel inspired and that this series instills that magnificent sense of wanderlust that always leads to the best adventures.
As an added bonus, over the next 6 weeks, every purchase at Shop Aurifil containing one or more Color Builder collections will be entered for a chance to win a prize package valued over $550! Package includes goodies from Aurifil, Moda Fabrics, Oliso, OLFA, and Soak.
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
– Michelangelo
Carrara… the marble city. Though largely renowned for its marble treasury, Carrara has so much more to offer its visitors – from the mountains to the sea, featuring exquisite and unique local cuisine, sightseeing, and more!
The Cathedral is our first stop. Situated in the centre of the Piazza Duomo, it’s truly at the core of the city. We’re struck by its magnificence, boasting a facade decorated with alternating slabs of white Luna marble and black Colonnata marble. It dates back to 1099 and holds the honor of being the first Medieval church to be constructed entirely of marble.
In this moment, a sense of awe sets in… how could such large and heavy slabs be transported all those years ago? We’re delighted to learn that we’re just in time for the Historical Reenactment of the Lizzatura, set in the wondrous marble quarries. The Lizzatura was a historical method that was used to transport marble blocks, sliding them over soapy wood and then carrying them into the valley in ox carts. The reenactment is held as a tribute to those strong and brave souls who dedicated their lives to the extraction of one of the most famous metamorphic rocks in the world.
As the day comes to a close, we make our way to the seaside to watch the sunset at the Marina di Carrara, famous for its Club Nautico, a destination for many champions who have distinguished themselves in regattas all over the world.
FUN FACTS
– Carrara marble was used to create some of the most remarkable buildings and art masterpieces in Ancient Rome such as the Pantheon and Trajan’s Column.
– The town’s name has always been linked to marble: some believe it comes from Cararia, the place of wagons. These wagons were used to transport the marble blocks.
Our Carrara set features 3 shades of 50wt thread in 2021, 2625, & 2692. They coordinate perfectly with the Off White, Graphite, & Black Bella Solids by Moda Fabrics shown above. For a bit of creative inspiration, make sure to grab the Italian Color Builders EPP Pattern (shown above) by Aurifil’s own Kate Brennan and the Carrara Quarry Wonky block (shown below) by Aurifil Designers Shannon & Jason via the buttons below.
As a reminder, over the next 6 weeks, every purchase at Shop Aurifil containing one or more Color Builder collections will be entered for a chance to win a prize package valued over $550! Package includes goodies from Aurifil, Moda Fabrics, Oliso, OLFA, and Soak. Winner will be randomly selected and contacted via email after the close of the series.
