The origins of present-day Livorno lie in the 15th century, when the Medicis took over the small port and expanded it, although there had been a presence there since Roman times. During the 1600s, Livorno was a major point for seagoing commerce, and became a highly cosmopolitan community with merchants of many ethnicities and religions settling there. In the 19th century, Livorno also became a vacation center, as trains made it easier for people to access Livorno's beaches. Much of old Livorno was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II.
Venezia Nuovo, or "New Venice," is an old merchants' neighborhood. Many of the buildings date back to the 1500s. The neighborhood's canals and bridges were modeled after those of Venice and were designed so that goods could be shipped out as efficiently as possible. The Mercato delle Vettovaglie is a covered market built in the 19th century. It is a good example of Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. The Quattro Mori, or Four Turks Monument, is a symbol of Livorno and celebrates a Medici victory over Turkish pirates. The Fortezza Vecchia and Fortezza Nuevo are reminders of how the Medici rulers protected the port in the Renaissance era.
Livorno has a natural attraction in the nearby beaches, which are only enhanced by the the 19th century Viale Italia, a seafront boulevard that stretches along the coast for miles. Several of these beaches have been awarded the European Union's Blue Flag award for cleanliness. Livorno is also on the Etruscan Coast, which is noted for its "wine road." History and archeology buffs can also see the remains of several Etruscan and Roman villages.
Livorno is served by the Pisa airport. After your plane lands, you can take a shuttle bus to the Pisa train station, where you can catch a train to Livorno. There are also direct trains to Livorno from Florence, and the city is on the Rome-Genoa line. Whatever train you take, once you get off, bus number 1 travels from the train station to the Livorno town center and to the Livorno port. By car, Livorno is accessible by Autostrada A12.
During the year, Livorno hosts several sailboat and rowboat races, with accompanying parties and festivals. The city also holds the summer festival Effetto Venezia in Venezia Nueva every August. Livorno is the home of the "leghorn" breed of chicken--the breed was named after the city but "Livorno" turned into "leghorn" in English. Tuaca and Galliano liqueurs are produced in Livorno.
