Historical cartography and coastal dynamics of the Apuan littoral in the modern and contemporary periods: the port of Marina di Carrara (Tuscany, Italy)

International audienceAlong the northwestern Tuscan littoral, using 18th to 20th century cartography together with reports from specialists and engineers, we can reconstruct the costal dynamics, environmental evolution and organization of the territory-the marshland recovery and agrarian colonization of the lowlands and the construction of the two simple docking facilities serving the towns of Avenza-Carrara and Massa. Since the late medieval period this area belonged to the Malaspina Principato, later the Cybo Malaspina di Massa Carrara, and from the 1730's until 1859 to the Este Duchy of Modena. For many years the littoral's only seaports were the problematic havens at the mouths of the Magra, Carrione and Frigido rivers. The littoral was almost completely uninhabited until the construction plan for the port of Avenza (now known as Marina di Carrara) was undertaken. The history of this Italian port is well known, having the dubious honor of the longest period between initial planning and final completion: from the middle of the 18th century until the middle of the 20th century. Less well known are the territory's natural dynamics, costal advancement, erosion and wave action. The study of these records allows us to bring the profound transformations of the Apuan landscape and costal environment between the 18th and 20th centuries to the forefront. At first characterized by littoral advancement and later, from the end of the 19th century until the present, by the littoral erosion that is undermining seaside tourism, the area's primary economic activity. These records also allow us to better understand the processes behind these transformations and to formulate plans for their management, in the attempt to reduce erosion without further burdening the coast with rigid defense works