Carrara is famous all over the world for its marble, but those who live in or visit it soon discover that it is not just made up of quarries and sculptors. The historic center holds places that tell the story of daily life, social interactions, and the memory of the city. One of these is the Caffè Leon d’Oro, overlooking piazza Alberica: a bar that has accompanied the community for over a century and is now passionately managed by the Santucci family. We interviewed Lucilla, who, along with her sister, carries on this piece of the city's history.
Lucilla, let's start from the origins. Why is the Leon d’Oro considered a historic shop?
The establishment was founded at the end of the 1800s under the name “Fiaschetteria”, in piazza Alberica, the main square of Carrara. Even today it retains original furnishings, such as the wooden counter with a marble base, the mirrors, and the decorative details.
For over thirty years it has belonged to our family, which manages it with love and care. It is a place that withstands the test of time: during Covid we did not stop, we continued to work thanks to takeout and the trust of our customers. This shows that the Leon d’Oro is not just a bar, but a true landmark for the city.
In addition to architecture, the Leon d’Oro also preserves the historical memory of Carrara…
Yes, under the bar there are two air raid shelters used during World War II. They served the inhabitants to protect themselves during the bombings. They are spaces that today remind us how much this place has been part of the community's life, not only in happy moments but also in the more difficult ones.
What role does the bar play today in the daily life of Carrara?
During the year we mainly serve the locals: breakfasts, quick lunches, snacks. In summer, with the arrival of tourists, and in winter with the regular clientele, the bar remains open for aperitifs and after-dinner. It is a true open-air living room, where residents and visitors meet.
Who carries on this tradition?
We are a completely female staff. Our strength is the energy and hospitality we offer to customers. Every five or six years we renew the premises because we want to keep it always lively and current without losing its historical identity.
Do you have a curious anecdote related to the bar?
During the last renovation, we added a mirror in the room. An elderly customer, not from Carrara, complained saying that the mirror was deceiving because it seemed there was another room. Then he added: “I approached and saw a beautiful gentleman… and I realized it was me!”. A joke that made us smile and well describes the atmosphere here.
Even the drinks reflect a certain attention to the daily break. What do you offer besides traditional coffee?
We are very happy with the collaboration with Pausa: our ginseng and barley are among the most appreciated products. Ginseng is in high demand from late morning, around 11, while barley is often chosen even in the cappuccino version. Small details that make our customers' break special.
Looking to the future, what are your plans?
We would like to recover the two rooms of the air raid shelter under the premises and transform them into spaces dedicated to customers. It would be a way to expand the offer and, at the same time, enhance an important historical heritage for the city.
The Leon d’Oro is not just a bar: it is a piece of Carrara's history, an intertwining of architecture, memory, and sociality that continues to live every day.
