Colonnata
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
352 reviews
Excellent
159
Very good
153
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Arttraveller
Province of Rome, Italy21 contributions
Jul 2020
Colonnata is a small town rich in history and traditions, located in the Apuan mountains, in the area of the marble quarries. Famous for its "lard from Colonnata", the village offers not only great food and a breathtaking view, but also the possibility of trekking for beginners too. Excellent restaurants. It is really worth.
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jarborra
Stockholm, Sweden346 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We were in our way to the Carrera Marble Tour when we stumbled upon the road to Colonnata. Not for he faint hearted, the single lane twists and turns up the mountain - pray you don't meet a bus or a lorry! At the end of the road there is a tiny plaza where you can park. Don't be discouraged by the no parking signs, as long as you don't park at the bus stop or in the middle of the plaza you'll be alright.
The tiny hamlet feels like something you might find in the Swiss amps, surrounded by dramatic marble mountaintops. There is a little walk up to a panoramic platform with a statue dedicated to marble quarrymen. There are a few quaint restaurants (we ate elsewhere however). And we even bumped into a peacock!
All in all we were in Colonnata for 15 minutes but it was well worth the stop. If you're a fan of "lardo", the local delicacy (think a strip of ham only consisting of the white fatty parts), then the best can be bought here.
Not a must-do but a nice-to-do if you happen to be in the area or tired of the beach.
The tiny hamlet feels like something you might find in the Swiss amps, surrounded by dramatic marble mountaintops. There is a little walk up to a panoramic platform with a statue dedicated to marble quarrymen. There are a few quaint restaurants (we ate elsewhere however). And we even bumped into a peacock!
All in all we were in Colonnata for 15 minutes but it was well worth the stop. If you're a fan of "lardo", the local delicacy (think a strip of ham only consisting of the white fatty parts), then the best can be bought here.
Not a must-do but a nice-to-do if you happen to be in the area or tired of the beach.
Written 13 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Max T
Southampton, UK1,920 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Getting to Colonnata from Carrara is a very stressful and dangerous drive. The streets are very windy, terribly narrow and to make it worse many people park along the roadside as there is very little parking at Colonnata itself. We went on a Sunday a round lunchtime which we strongly advise against as it was packed with cars lining the narrow streets so driving there was really stressful. Its best for motorbikers of which there were many. They are able to navigate their way past the obstructions. Once there its a nice place, but many of the marble related souveniers or statues you can see anywhere around the Carrara area littered along the roadsides where there are many souvenier shops with lovely marble carvings. Th area is also well endowed with small trattorias and osterias so we questioned whether the hair raising drive was really worth it. However it is a very popular spot. The drive there also offers some lovely views of the many marble mines and caves.
Written 15 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulB
Maastricht, The Netherlands3,137 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The village of Colonnats is located uphill from Carrara, and dates back to 40 BC. It was originally built for the housing of slaves used in quarrying marble after Rome decided to replace expensive imported Greek marble with local (Luni) marble.
The current villages dates back to the 12th (the church) and 13th century.
The village is still mainly supported by mining.
Colonnata is also known for its 'Lardo', a kind of bacon fat, calory rich foor for the mine workers.
The method to make the bacon fat has not changed over the years. The pieces of bacon fat, which come from all parts of Italy, are laid in a marble box layer by layer and every time a large load of salt is placed between them. Of course, herbs are also used, such as pepper, rosemary, garlic and cinnamon. The coffin then goes into an underground cellar to mature there for six months.
After the ripening period the Lardo is ready for consumption. The tastiest way to eat the food is thinly sliced on a toasted bun. The bacon fat then slowly melts and the aroma is released.
The road uphill to Colonnato is narrow and gives views over the immense marble stone mines.
But the village itself is quiet and not a real attraction.
The current villages dates back to the 12th (the church) and 13th century.
The village is still mainly supported by mining.
Colonnata is also known for its 'Lardo', a kind of bacon fat, calory rich foor for the mine workers.
The method to make the bacon fat has not changed over the years. The pieces of bacon fat, which come from all parts of Italy, are laid in a marble box layer by layer and every time a large load of salt is placed between them. Of course, herbs are also used, such as pepper, rosemary, garlic and cinnamon. The coffin then goes into an underground cellar to mature there for six months.
After the ripening period the Lardo is ready for consumption. The tastiest way to eat the food is thinly sliced on a toasted bun. The bacon fat then slowly melts and the aroma is released.
The road uphill to Colonnato is narrow and gives views over the immense marble stone mines.
But the village itself is quiet and not a real attraction.
Written 8 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sterex
Zurich, Switzerland34 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Colonnata is a very nice village known for its "lardo" fet, you should definitely taste without exaggerating though because it is quite heavy to digest.
The small village is home of several "larderie" i.e. lardo producing companies.
I recommend to visit Colonnata during the weekend when they celebrate the "lardo" when all shops are open and you can discuss with the producer. Ideally this tour should be combined with a visit of the spectacular marble caves just few kilometres away.
The small village is home of several "larderie" i.e. lardo producing companies.
I recommend to visit Colonnata during the weekend when they celebrate the "lardo" when all shops are open and you can discuss with the producer. Ideally this tour should be combined with a visit of the spectacular marble caves just few kilometres away.
Written 28 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
guysmith100
Cleethorpes, UK257 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
The Quarries of Carrara surround Colonnata, it is a small town with charm and character and has many small winding streets and steps. With nice little shops, bars and restaurants. And don't forget Colonnata is the Lardo Capital.
Written 29 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hellenictraveler
Schaumburg, IL30 contributions
Sept 2016
The town was cool and refreshing, as it is on top of a mountain. And yes, "lardo" is lard. But it is cured for 6 mo. with spices and if you can get past the artery choker part, it was quite good!
Written 3 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Riccardo C
Rotterdam, The Netherlands144 contributions
Jun 2015
Colonnata is one of the small hamlets the mountain where the world famous white mable is mined. From the hamlet you have a nice view on the mountains. Close to the small parking there is a small trattoria / bar where the serve local wonderfull food. Don't expect large steaks or fish but nice meat, olives, bread and wines. Just nice to have seen this
Written 18 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul h
Adelaide, Australia769 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
A quiet village with a specialty of producing lardo. Here is your opportunity to try it in local dishes, by the shaved slice or take away a piece for later. Lardo is a very Italian slice of pork fat flavoured with spices and herbs, not for everyone but worth the try
Written 11 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NemoWolfe
Province of Massa Carrara, Italy93 contributions
Sept 2019
One of the oldest quarry Village in the area, warm, clean, the people frendly is the capital of the Lardo di Colonnata the most top food ever made using the traditional system this Village is full of nice Larderie were u can taste the best food and one of the topmost famous restaurant in Italy Venanzio. Small parking opens all years.
you can experience a really nice stay.
you can experience a really nice stay.
Written 29 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ciao è possibile visitare le cave in questo periodo? grazie
Written 18 December 2018
Per le visite alle cave meglio chiedere ai punti informazione in luogo , comunque il periodo climatico non è dei migliori.
Written 30 December 2018
Bonjour,
J'aimerais savoir s'il est possible de visiter les carrières de Colonnata ?
Written 7 April 2017
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