LIVORNO


LIVORNO
Is one of the provinces of Tuscany and has around 160.000 inhabitants. In the whole region, Livorno is the most important commercial and tourist port. Although some remains that date back to the 1st century BC were found, the city flourished in the XVIth century thanks to the Medici governance, a famous Italian family. Since between the XIIth and the XVth centuries the Porto Pisano (the port near to the Medicean Fortress) and the communication routes from and/or to the Republic of Pisa were thriving more and more, the Fanale dei Pisani (the first lighthouse of the city) was erected. In the XVIth century after being in Milan, Genoa and Florence the Medici finally arrived in Livorno and delivered improvements both in the port area and in the city adding buildings and a new defence system. It was composed by ramparts and ditches which were designed and built by Bernardo Buontalenti, a famous architect hired by the Medici. In 1590 thanks to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando I de’ Medici, the Leggi Livornine were promulgated in order to increase the population in the city, which would become a free trade zone. The Leggi Livornine were laws that enabled the writing-off of debts with foreigners, the tax exemption, general pardon, and the possibility to buy a new house without any kind of problem. In 1953 the Leggi Livornine turned into a proper Constitution (Costituzione Livornina) that enabled freedom of worship, profession, and political choice and general pardon for the following 25 years, together with further facilitation. Logically, to profit from the new regulations people had to live I. Livorno. All this led to the creation of a multicultural and cosmopolitan city; for instance, Jews did not live in ghettos. These radical changes empowered Livorno as commercial port. Today the port of Livorno boasts the famous Cantiere Navale Orlando (Orlando shipyard). The naval academy of today was founded in the late XIXth century and one of its cadets was Manlio Garibaldi (Giuseppe Garibaldi's last-born child); for this reason, the Garibaldi family moved to Livorno. Nowadays the port of Livorno is divided into various wharves: Porto Mediceo, Varco Galvani, Sgarallino, Darsena Toscana, Molo Italia and Varco Velessini. Every year thousands of merchant ships and cruiser liners pass from the port of Livorno.

Important sights of the city:

  • Cathedral of St Francesco: built in 1500 by Pieroni and located in Piazza Grande.
  • The Churchof Santa Caterina: Octagonal plant church was built in the 18th century and is surmounted by a dome.
  • The sanctuary of Montenero: The sanctuary, which has been a pilgrimage destination since the XVth century, is inhabited by the monks of Vallombrosa and has become a basilica. It has become a pilgrimage destination thanks to the legend of the lame man who allegedly found a painting of the Madonna where today the sanctuary is located. The legend also says that the man, pushed by a supernatural strength, was able to bring the painting on the hilltop. When he arrived on the top his leg was in perfect conditions. For this reason, at the foot of the hill, where the man found the painting, there is the Chapel of the Apparition. The Madonna of Montenero is the patron saint of Tuscany
  • New Fortress (Fortezza Nuova): It was built by Bernardo Buontalenti in the XV century and the Old Fortress (Fortezza Vecchia), which dates back to the Roman Period and which was destroyed and restored many times. The today's one was designed by Antonio da San Gallo). Meloria Tower (Torre della Meloria): it was erected in front of the sea in order to recall the precise point where Pisa and Genoa fought the famous battle of Meloria in 1284. Marzocco Tower (Torre del Marzocco): it was in the XVth century by Alberti, when Livorno belonged to Florence. The tower rises 54 meters and is covered with marble.
Other Places to visit in Livorno county: Castagneto Carducci, Bolgheri, Piombino, Sassetta, Suvereto, San Vincenzo, Elba (including Marciana Marina, Portoferraio, Rio nell’Elba, Porto Azzurro, Capoliveri, Campo nell’Elba), Quercianella, and Antignano.

Illustrious people from Livorno: Pietro Mascagni, Amedeo Modigliani, Giovanni Fattori, Giovanni Pascoli

Typical local dishes: Baccalà alla Livornese (dried salt cod), Cacciucco (spiced fish soup), all kinds of fish dishes.

Events in Livorno: - Effetto Venezia: Every summer, a series of performances and shows, cultural events and local street markets are held along the streets of the oldest district of the city, the Venice District (quartiere Venezia). - Tuffo di Capodanno (The Dive of New Year’s Day): on the 1st of January the most courageous and fearless people can dive into the sea. -Palio marinaro: it takes place in the part of the sea in front of Terrazza Mascagni.

Testimonials

  • Shore Excursion from Livorno Harbour to Florence and Pisa

    Santiago Family from POrtorico. Shore Excursion to Pisa and Florence , back to the harbour. Thanks for travelling with us . Read more
  • Flavia Saiad

    After some days in Tuscany , here there are at the Station ready for another Italian's adventure Read more
  • Karen & Jhon from Boston

    E-mail dated back Septmber 2019
    Hi Sylvia - its' hard to believe but in a few weeks it will be a year since our wonderful trip to Tuscany and our three days of touring with you. We've told many, many people about our three days touring with you in Tuscany! We love to tell the story of the guy in the

    ... Read more
  • Judith Wolfe on Behalf of Linda Wolfe October 2018

    Dear Silvia,My customers have returned from their long extended trip to Italy. San Gimignano was their 1st stop.They said the tour you arranged was wonderful and the guide made it especially good, saying that he is one of the best they ever had.They also really enjoyed the lunch stop and view.Thank you... Read more
  • Mrs. Maristela Azevedo

    Hello, Silvia, how are you?
    I’d like to thank you for the great time you gave us!!!We loved everything!
    I told my husband that, the next time, we will rent an apartment in San Gimignano…and you will take us to the wineries…He loved it!
    Thank you very much for everything. It was everything wonderful!!!... Read more
  • Jaime Otero y Jose Carlos Gonzalez Bonilla

  • Shane Quintard

    Ciao Silvia!

    Grazie ancora per il grande tour di Siena e San Gimignano - io e mia moglie e amici aveva un grande momento e che era esattamente quello che speravamo! La cantina è stata una scelta eccellente, come pure! Abbiamo lasciato ieri (1 febbraio) e ha fatto arrivare a casa in modo sicuro, nonostante ... Read more
  • Carole Gaddis

    Hi Silvia,  It's so good to hear from you.  We're fine.  We had six days at home after Tuscany and then flew to South Korea for two weeks!  We've just returned, exhausted!
    We had such a great time with you, Silvia.  The tip could never be enough to show our appreciation for your kindness and help.  ... Read more
  • The British Institute of Florence

    Gentile Silvia,  La volevo ringraziare per la sua disponibilità riguardo la gita di sabato.  Le signore le hanno fatto tutte molti complimenti per la sua guida!
    Grazie e a presto,
    Cordiali saluti,
    Liz Read more
  • Mrs Elizabeth ( wedding Planner ) Original Tuscan Wedding

    Ciao Silvia,
    Ecco i complimenti dalle Sposi del 16 Ottobre!!
    Our driver Johnny was so awesome!  He drove us all over the Chianti region.  He took us to a few wineries and we had a private tour of one of the wineries including a wine tasting and oil tasting.  He even took us into a store with a cellar ... Read more