When travellers plan a trip to Italy Livorno is not usually on the “must see” list, but it definitely worth a visit.
Livorno is a unique and bustling seaside town of Tuscany located along the Etruscan Coast, 25 km from Pisa and 90 km from Florence. The Etruscan Coast is the beautiful stretch of Tuscan coastline that goes from Livorno to Piombino, so called for the presence of the Etruscan civilization between 400 and 800 BC.
Like many historical port city, Livorno has always been a crossroads of different cultures. It owes its charm, cosmopolitan character, singular history and interesting gastronomic tradition to this multiethnic aspect. Livorno offers visitors imposive renaissance fortresses, elegant merchant palaces, picturesque districts and something that very many people know: the largest covered indoor market and the largest bridge square in Europe.
The most characteristic quartier of Livorno is “Venezia Nuova” (New Venice), the Tuscany Little Venice. A unique place, rich in history and fascinating anecdotes, built upon the water by Venetian workers at the behest of the Medici family during the 16th century. The district is marked by elegant merchant palaces belonged to different foreign nations, an ancient canal system, arching bridges and typical historic canal-side cellars, evidence of Livorno’s rooted maritime tradition. The quartier is also the stage for the important event “Effetto Venezia”, the traditional annual summer festival that takes place at the end of July.
Livorno has a strong relationship with the sea. The city offers a beautiful promenade with a splendid view on the Tuscan Archipelago ,that inspired artists and famous “Macchiaioli” painters. A lively seafront rich in history and characterized by gardens, elegant builindings and Art Nouveau villas, historic seaside resorts once frequented by the Savoy princes and members of high society from all over the world. Don’t miss a stop at the striking Terrazza Mascagni, an elegant balustraded terrace overlooking the sea and dedicated to the famous Livornese composer Pietro Mascagni.
