Livorno (how to reach it) was, at the beginning of the 16th century, just a small fishing village and would probably have stayed that way if the Medici family hadn't decided to provide Tuscany with an efficient port. Livorno was chosen on the basis of the area's geographical characteristics: it was near the mouth of the Arno but on the edge of the alluvial plain, and it was situated on a rocky but low-lying coast which made it easier to build the port complex. The Porto Mediceo and the large-scale fortifications of the city were built between 1518 and 1618 according to a pentagonal plan drawn up by Buontalenti. The act of foundation of the city on 10 June 1593 was strikingly original: the constitution of Livorno gave anyone who wanted to live in Livorno the right to do so for a period of 25 years. Jewish refugees, French Huguenots, English Catholics, Muslims, and so on flocked here, and Livorno became a cosmopolitan and liberal city. Due to the sharp rise in population in the 18th century, the city expanded considerably with the construction of other quarters. Further modifications were necessary in the 19th century with the building of the railway station.
The New Venice, 1600s quarter adjacent to the old village grooved by canals (hence its name)
Terrazza Mascagni completely rebuild in the last few yars.
Fortezza Vecchia, imposing fortified complex from 1518 designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio on the orders of Giulio de’ Medici (Pope Clemente VII). It was subsequently enlarged and modified. In 1769 Pietro Leopoldo di Lorena instituted a military college for Nobles there.
Porto Mediceo, completed in 1620 by Cosimo II. In the immediate neighbourhood is the 1300 Torre del Fanale erected on the ruins of Lazzaretto of 1528.
Monumento a Ferdinando I, (called also Quattro Mori) particular monument realised by two artists in different periods.
Fortezza Nuova, surrounded by the Royal Channel it was built around 1592 projected by Buontalenti
Cisternone, work (as is the Costernino ) by Pasquale Poccianti from 1828; elegant water tank for the city’s water
Cathedral, named for S. Francesco d’Assisi, faces onto the Piazza Grande. The construction of the end of the 1500s was almost totally destroyed by the bombardments of the last war. Reconstructed following the original lines it has a simple grey marble façade preceded by a portico. The luminous single nave interior preserves precious works of art.
Nuova Sinagoga, was reconstructed after the war on the place of the preceding synagogue of 1600s. its interior is enriched with works of art.
Civic Museum Giovanni Fattori, organised since 1994 in the Villa Mimbelli, the museum collects works of 1800 and early 1900 together with a collection of Macchiaioli paintings. |
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