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LIVORNO AND ITS HEART, PIAZZA GRANDE

Known as the headquarters of the naval academy and for its industrial development, Livorno is also an artistic city.

Bird’s eyes view of the town (www.livorno.org)
A coast stretch in Livorno

History

Founded in 1577 by Francesco I dè Medici at the southern edge of the alluvial plain formed by the River Arno, it developed rapidly thanks both to its role as a port and to the “constitution” of 1593, which stimulated immigration and freedom. In the heart of the modern city, active in the trade and industry sectors, one can still recognise the pentagon of the Medici city, surrounded by ditches and by the development supervised by the Lorraine family at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1881 Benedetto Brin set up the naval academy to train navy officials. The city was also a renowned seaside resort popular with tourists in the period straddling the 19th-20th centuries, whereas today it is a well-established Italian port.

The city and its monuments

The heart of the city is Piazza Grande, surrounded by historic buildings and arcades, completely reconstructed after the Second World War. The square is overlooked by the Palazzo Grande, the Town Hall, the Chamber of Commerce building and the cathedral, reconstructed after bombing in 1943. Other places worth visiting in the city are Piazza della Repubblica, which covers a stretch of the Royal Moat, beyond which there is the Fortezza Nuova (realised between 1590 and 1605 by Bernardo Buontalenti according to the wishes of Ferdinando I), originally joined to the Fortezza Vecchia. Today this has become a public garden. “New Venice” is instead a characteristic district once inhabited by fishermen and seamen, which still conserves the characteristics of the original plan, with an extensive network of canals crossed by bridges. The Quattro Mori (four Moors) monument can be seen in Piazza Micheli. It was erected by Ferdinando I and is considered to be the most famous monument in Livorno, owing its name to the four bronze figures of Moors chained together. Finally, some of the villas are worth visiting, Villa Maria, the headquarters of the Documentation and Visual Research Centre, standing out among these.

The geographical area

The province of Livorno also has a wide variety of environments satisfying the needs of tourists, including places such as the island of Elba, lapped by the crystal-clear azure blue sea. Elba is a corner of paradise close to the coast and easily accessible, far from the commonplace sites of mass tourism. Getting to know Elba means discovering a coast where long golden beaches, secluded coves and spectacular cliffs alternate. Discovering Elba means visiting ancient mines and small medieval villages, trying out wholesome and tasty local dishes, immersing oneself in the greenery of the woods or relaxing and doing one’s favourite sport. Visiting Elba means diving into an ageless world where dreams and reality come together in a completely natural way. The remaining islands making up the Tuscan archipelago are Gorgona, Montecristo and Pianosa, three pearls of the Tyrrhenian Sea established as a National Park and subject to strict protection measures. As a result of these provisions they have remained inaccessible and unspoilt, conserving the beauty both of the islands and of the surrounding waters. Continuing our journey, we find Cecina, an important and renowned tourist and trading centre, which developed following the reclamation of the land by the Grand Duchy in around 1800 and also includes the seaside resort of Marina di Cecina. Finally, Piombino stands on the southern tip of the promontory with the same name, opposite the island of Elba.