La Spezia tourist information
INTRODUCTION La Spezia is situated in the most inner part of the Golfo dei Poeti on flat plains that develop in an area limited by the sea and the surrounding hills. Its origins may be traced back the ancient times up to the tenth century AD, when the lands of the gulf were ruled by the Obertenghi family and by the Bishops of Luni. At that time, La Spezia was a small maritime and fishing village that gathers round a group of houses placed along the slope of the hill called Poggio. Genoa was near menacing this territory and when it managed to join it to its rules, the local reality greatly improved thus becoming an important trading and naval emporium. In this period La Spezia was invaded by pirates and attacked by other counties that fought against the Republic of Genoa that tried to preserve its strategic position of the gulf. The village was protected by the strengthening of the defensive walls perimeter together with the construction of the San Giorgio Castle that is now the seat of the archaeological collection "Ubaldo Formentini". But during the 800's, La Spezia lived one of the most important periods of its history thanks to the realisation of the Military Shipyard and the Mercantile Port that changed a fishing village into a modern city. From the sea, you are embraced by a colourful and sunny seafront, the Passeggiata Morin (Morin walk), the starting point towards Cinque Terre, © APT La Spezia Lerici and Porto Venere which faces the splendid Golfo dei Poeti. The seafront is faced by the historical gardens which are made on a tongue of the sea and thus offer unique combination of colours. Numerous are the varieties of plant hosted, ranging from the cedar to the magnolia and other types of characteristic palms, alternated by a large blossoming of roses among wild agaves.
The heritage centre of the La Spezia offers other typical and historical aspects. Prione Street is closed to traffic therefore destined to walk and to enjoy shopping: It is long and tortuous like the typical ligurian streets called "carruggi". Time ago, at the beginning of this street, one could find the passage to the shore that testimonies the presence of the walls next to the quay. In Corso Cavour which is parallel to Prione Street and is partially transited for pedestrians, the fine buildings from the end of the nineteenth century are splendid examples of Liberty style. They are rich of decorations, paintings and statues and alternate with the most simplest buildings dated from the eighteenth century. The Corso is interrupted by Cavour (or del Mercato) Square where every morning from Monday to Saturday everybody may buy fruit and vegetable, cold cuts and cheese, flowers and plants. On every first Sunday of the month, you may enjoy the 'CercaAntico', a rich exposition of furniture, silverware, jewels and antiques which gathers more than a hundred exhibitors coming from Italy and abroad.
Sant'Agostino and del Bastione Square represent two other important historical areas that recent works of restorations have given back to the city. In Sant'Agostino Square converse some of the most antique Baroque constructions of La Spezia. Its presence is certified from the 1609 being the Oldoini family possession. The wide del Bastione Square dates back to 1901; it is a sort of bastion that allowed the access within the city limits for those coming from Pisa.
Even Chiodo Square highlights another fundamental aspect of the city's history being the entrance to the Military Shipyard and to other great 19th-century military buildings. In its centre, you can admire the sculpture of Domenico Chiodo that is the main responsible for the construction of the shipyard. Recently, this important naval base, an area of 165 hectares with 12 kilometres of roads has been open to the public. Thanks to a convention between the Military Navy and the Township of La Spezia, guided visits have been organised within the military area that until recently could be visited only once a year on particular occasions. Starting from the Main Portal and the prestigious Naval Museum the tour reveals a monumental military structure, a significant local aspect, together with the glorious of the Italian Navy.
