The port of Livorno is first documented around the tenth century. Its numerous trade links with Spain, France, England and Flanders quickly made it into one of Italy’s prime locations.
In 1571, Cosimo I decided to invest in the development of the city, at the expense of Pisa, whose port was silting in and.built, amongst other things, a jetty. Around 1575, Buontalenti and Cogorani began transformations with a view to creating a city in line with the ideals of the Renaissance.
Works on the port ‘Porto Mediceo’ were completed in 1620. Thanks to generous benefits accorded to immigrants, the town attracted many Jews, Turks, Protestants and Arabs who settled in great numbers and brought wealth and prosperity to the city.
Granted the status of free port in 1608 – benefiting from special administrative and fiscal concessions – Livorno counted some 80,000 inhabitants in the seventeenth century. Today, it is the second most important port in Italy for the transport of wood, Florentine crafts, marble, cars and other goods.
Surrounding area:
Castiglioncello
Nestled between pines and green oak trees, Castiglioncello is an elegant sea-side resort on the Riviera dei Etrusci. Offering many pleasantly shady bays and sheltered by the surrounding hills, it enjoys a beneficial climate.
Ile de Capraia
A predominantly mountainous island that managed to preserve its unspoilt nature. There is only one village, Capraia Isola. The small lake, hidden in the heart of an ancient crater, is a popular destination for ramblers. The island is a paradise for bird-watchers and divers.
Isola d’Elba
With its two main towns, Portoferraio (the capital of the island) and Porto Azzurro, Elba offers the visitor unspoilt nature and varied landscapes basking in a dry and warm climate. Olive and chestnut trees, cactus, shrubbery and vineyards constitute the main elements of its vegetation. For 3000 years, iron has been extracted from the earth rich in minerals. Today, the mines of the island are no longer in use. The island’s vineyards produce, amongst others, the white Moscato and the capricious rosé. Elba is the largest mining island of Italy.
Marina di Campo
Situated on the southern shore of Elba, Marina di Campo is a lively resort. Nearby are the beaches of Cávoli, Fetovaia and Lacona.
Piombino
Port of departure for visitors to Elba, Piombino is Italy’s largest passenger ferry port. Few visitors take the time to appreciate its historical and artistic heritage including, for example, the parish church of Sant’Antimo (XIV Century) and the very beautiful Renaissance cloisters in the centre of the town.
Populonia
Populonia was once a great Etruscan city built by the sea. It was once the most important centre for iron extraction in the ancient world. The treasures excavated in nearby burial sites are exhibited in the Museo Etrusco Gasparri. One can also visit the burial site of San Cerbone with some beautiful examples of burial mounds and tombs with baths of the sixth and fifth centuries BC.
Porto Azzurro
Elegant sea-side resort on Elba dominated by an imposing fortress, which is now a prison.
Riviera dei Etruschi
A beach-lover’s paradise. The great expanses of fine sand, stretching from Livorno to Piombino, are interspersed by rough cliffs.
For any question about Agriturismo in Livorno, please contact our Tuscany Agriturismo Specialist
Alessandro@dolcevita.be
Tel: +32 2 653 25 20
Ask him for a customized proposal !
