Things to Do and See in Livorno

The capital of the province of the same name, Livorno is home to one of Italy’s most important ports. The city is also home to the renowned and highly selective Naval Academy, which trains the future officers of the Italian Navy. Rich in artistic and cultural heritage of international significance, the city still retains the charm and layout bestowed upon it by the Medici family between the 16th and 17th centuries: the pentagonal city walls surrounded by navigable moats, the distinctive red-colored fortifications—including the Fortezza Vecchia, designed by Antonio da Sangallo—the Duomo, and the colonnaded Via Grande. Not to be overlooked is the Venezia Nuova neighborhood in the city center, built on the model of Venice with a dense network of canals featuring bridges, multi-story palaces, and trendy and quaint establishments. Quattro Mori is the city’s iconic monument, located in Piazza del Padiglione and created by Pietro Tacca; it is a marble sculpture depicting Grand Duke Ferdinand II and four bronze statues of chained prisoners. Elsewhere in the province, the Gulf of Baratti is recommended as a beach destination, with its picturesque harbor, crystal-clear water, and sandy beach. Finally, how could we fail to mention the splendid Island of Elba, characterized by crystal-clear waters and high, rugged coastlines, rich in minerals and inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the picturesque towns of Rio Marina and Capoliveri.