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Closely linked to the sea since its origin, Livorno is today the main port in Tuscany and one of the most important ports of call in the Mediterranean.
Due to its unique location, Livorno was often subject to domination - its conquerors including Pisa, France, and Genoa, as well as the Medici family of Florence in 1412. It was this noble family that began the transformation of Livorno into a port city in 1513. Following proclamation of the Constitutio Livornina (Livorno Constitution) by Ferdinand I, it became a free port where goods were traded without customs duty.
This Tuscan city became a crossroads for diverse races, religions, cultures, and languages and a meeting point between East and West. The city’s numerous churches and memorial cemeteries bear witness to Livorno’s tolerant, welcoming atmosphere. 
The sea and the activities connected with it have always played a fundamental role in the city’s economy, giving Livorno its distinctive sunny, open and lively spirit.
The two Medici Forts are among the most characteristic places to visit. The foundation of the oldest, aptly named Old Fort (Fortezza Vecchia), stands on a rocky stretch of coast not far from the Pisan Port. Its square tower was built at the beginning of the 11th century, followed by the circular keep known erroneously as “Matilda’s Tower” and finally by the square enclosure with crenellated battlements known as the Quadratura dei Pisani.
The New Fort (Fortezza Nuova) dates back to the end of the 16th century when the architect Buontalenti was commissioned by the Medici government to draw up a plan for the new city of Livorno. The famous architect designed a pentagonal town centre surrounded by a wall and a system of canals and construction began on the city and its defense system. Around 1589, however, the decision was made to strengthen the military system by completing what would become the New Fort.
At the centre of the Medici’s pentagonal town lies Piazza Grande, where we find the Cathedral of San Francisco, also known as the Duomo di Livorno. Although it was completely rebuilt after WWII, the cathedral still retains the characteristics of the original, built between 1594 and 1606 by architects Pieroni and Cantagallina. The works of art and decorations inside the church are originals that escaped the bombings. The original bells were miraculously found intact, although the bell tower itself was rebuilt in 1953.
The historic quarter of ‘La Venezia’ is definitely one of the most characteristic, its bridges, canals, typical fishermen’s cellars and picturesque atmosphere making it a very desirable place to visit. Every year in the first week of August, “Effetto Venezia,” is held here, an event which brings visitors from Tuscany as well as from all over Italy.
Just a short walk from the city center is Teatro Goldoni, the last remaining theater of the many that were built between the end of the 18th century and most of the 19th century. The Goldoni is the city’s most important theatre and the only one to have survived WWII bombings and post-war speculation. Inside the theatre, one of the most highly regarded in Italy, memorabilia belonging to the great Livornese composer, Pietro Mascagni, is preserved in the so-called Mascagni Museum.
Both the magnificent Art Nouveau style Mascagni Terrace (Terrazza Mascagni) situated on the city’s seafront and the nearby Naval Academy, a prestigious institute for naval military officers inaugurated in 1881, offer stunning views of the sea and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba, Capraia and Gorgona (see the part dedicated to these islands in Suggested Itineraries).
Boat Tour of the Canals & City Tour
 A variety of tours is available which allow tourists to discover the city’s places of interest from an unusual perspective. For example, tourists can take a boat trip along the canals that cross the characteristic Venice district, and discover a unique aspect of the city with forts, imposing buildings, churches, bridges, and storehouses that open onto the water, all bearing witness to the city’s history of maritime trade and commerce.
Then, as in many European cities, tourists can comfortably travel around the most characteristic areas of Livorno on the famous open top red shuttle bus with a multi-lingual tour guide onboard. For more information, click on City Tour service in the menu, or go directly to the site:www.city-sightseeing.it
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City of Livorno
