Livorno was built in 1577, thanks to the efforts of the Medicis family. Did you know that Livorno also has a district called as the "New Venice" or "La Nuova Venezia"? You'll find this district with its network of canals while walking between the Fortezza Vecchia and Fortezza Nuova.

One of the Livorno symbols is the famous "Monumento ai Quattro Mori" ("Monument to the four Turks"), erected by Pietro Tacca to celebrate the victory of Saint Stephan's Knights against the Saracens raids.

This monument comprises of a statue of Ferdinando I de' Medici and four Turks. Livorno is also the birth-place of Giovanni Fattori, who was the leader of the painters group known as Macchiaioli. Being a birthplace of painters and musicians, the city continually hosts some important painting exhibitions, classical music and Opera concerts. Moreover you'll enjoy hearing the characteristic dialect spoken by the inhabitants, the "vernacolo".

Livorno's surroundings offer a wide range of things to do. You can practice fishing, diving, sailing, and windsurfing or go trekking or mountain biking. If you are a sea lover you cannot miss the beautiful beaches of Castiglioncello, the wonderful Gulf of Baratti (with its very important Archeological Park and plenty of Etruscan tombs), Cecina, Quercianella (with its famous sandy and rocky beaches) and Marina di Bibbona where you can find a Medici Fortress.

At Marina di Bibbona you can taste some of the most famous wines called Sassicaia and Ornellaia of Bolgheri.

The Bolgheri area, birth place of the Italian poet Carducci, is often called the "El dorado of Italian wine". You can visit a famous avenue of Cypress trees in this town. In San Vincenzo there is the award-winning restaurant called "Gambero Rosso" considered one of the best restaurants in Italy!

For the nature lovers, the Pineta of Cecina and the Forest of Villa Benedetta located between Livorno and Colle Salvetti are a paradise where you can relax; the Forest of Villa Benedetta is full of vegetation and in a perfect position located between the sea and the hills.

The gastronomy is obviously characterized by genuine sea-food recipes. Here you can taste the dried cod, boiled octopus, maize porridge (Bordatina livornese), stewed mullets, and tasty crisp fried fish and so on. The most important recipes are the Caciucco, a very famous soup prepared with many different fishes, paprika and tomatoes and the fantastic "baccalà alla livornese", a salt and dried cod here prepared in a very special manner: you must try this! After a lavish meal you can try the Livorno's ponch.

Livorno Hotels and Accommodations in Tuscany