"Livorno--Port City for Firenze (Florence)" Livorno by seagoingJLW

Livorno Travel Guide: 161 reviews and 512 photos

Gateway to Firenze

We wandered around in Livorno and took some photos of typical Italian street scenes.

History

Livorno was built in 1577 when Buontalenti was commissioned by the Medici to make sure they had access to the sea. Thus, from a simple fishing village under Pisan dominion, Livorno became an important port center.

Fortresses and military outposts were built. Ferdinand di Medici favored its urbanization. He welcomed political and religious exiles thus ensuring a hard working multi-racial populace.

With Italian unification and the abolition of the free port in 1868, economic growth slowed.

Miscellaneous Information<

Livorno is located in Tuscany (Central Italy) on the coast of the Mediterranean. It is Italy's third largest seaport.

Most of the finest buildings built by the Medici in the 16th and 17th centuries were destroyed by Allied bombings and the retreat of the Germans in 1944.

The city has major shipyards and a fishing industry in addition to manufacturing of refined petroleum, iron, steel, aluminum, copper, etc.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Not too much other than the way to get to Firenze from the sea
Cons:Old and not too clea
In a nutshell:Go right to Firenze

Last visit to Livorno: Nov 2001
Intro Updated Apr 4, 2004
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Reviews (5)

As I said before, many locals... - Livorno

As I said before, many locals... Local Customs (1)

As I said before, many locals get around by boat. more travel advice

This is where some of the... Hotels (1)

This is where some of the local people live. more travel advice

Many residents here travel by... - Livorno

Many residents here travel by... Transportation (1)

Many residents here travel by boat. There are also a lot of motorcycles and mopeds. more travel advice

Here am I on my... Off The Beaten Path (1)

Here am I on my perambulations. more travel advice

Favorites (1)
Stroll around. Here is Irwin...

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Comments (5)

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craic Sep 19, 2003 at 4:49 AM

Thanks Joan. My great grandma came from here.
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keeweechic Jan 25, 2003 at 11:51 AM

I'm glad I didn't go out of my way to visit but still it seems lovely.
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acemj Feb 1, 2002 at 11:37 AM

How far from Florence?
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DaKat Dec 28, 2001 at 7:36 AM

Seems like a pretty place!
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brdwtchr Dec 16, 2001 at 9:34 AM

Every one seems to have a boat there.