The pictures here are not of Venice, though that might be what you thought upon immediately seeing them. An understandable and easy mistake to make, they are, in fact, actually of Venezia Nuova (literally meaning “New Venice”) in the seaside town of Livorno in Tuscany. This area is one of the most picturesque and historic parts of the town. The so-called Old Town of Livorno, it retains much of the original town layout and architectural features. If you want to see this mini-Venice for yourself while still enjoying all the perks, food and beautiful scenery of Tuscany as well as the beaches of the town, just find yourself a holiday rental in Livorno. Once you've done that, you'll be free to explore the area by foot and by boat.
Venezia Nuova was established in 1629 as the town was expanding under the Medici family and it was built with the intention to facilitate the running of the port which was one of the most important in the Mediterranean at the time. The canals were built in order to make moving merchandise from the port to the storehouses of Venezia Nuova easier and houses were built in the area to provide homes for workers.
Today, the remnants of this practical decision remain as a reminder of the city's past and as an unexpected and beautiful sight for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Today, the remnants of this practical decision remain as a reminder of the city's past and as an unexpected and beautiful sight for locals and tourists to enjoy.
The two forts, Fortezza Vecchia and Fortezza Nuova, mark the boundary of Venezia Nouva at each end. In between there are lots of other historic and beautiful buildings such as the Town Hall, the Palazzo Huigens (which is a good example of the Baroque in Livorno) and the pretty octagonal Church of Santa Caterina.
Venezia Nuova has lots to see but it is rather quiet during the daytime. This changes completely in the evenings as the former storehouses that line the canal are now bars and restaurants and the area paints a pretty picture when lit up at night.
At the end of July and beginning of August, the evenings become even more lively when the area hosts Effetto Venezia, a festival which brings together music, theatre, cabaret, poetry and arts and crafts for around two weeks.
Even if you just stroll the canal one night, Venezia Nuova is one part of Livorno that you should be sure to make time to visit.
Venezia Nuova has lots to see but it is rather quiet during the daytime. This changes completely in the evenings as the former storehouses that line the canal are now bars and restaurants and the area paints a pretty picture when lit up at night.
At the end of July and beginning of August, the evenings become even more lively when the area hosts Effetto Venezia, a festival which brings together music, theatre, cabaret, poetry and arts and crafts for around two weeks.
Even if you just stroll the canal one night, Venezia Nuova is one part of Livorno that you should be sure to make time to visit.
Photo credits
picture 1: Etienne (Li) / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Piergiuliano Chesi / CC BY 3.0;
picture 3: Lucarelli / CC BY 2.0
picture 1: Etienne (Li) / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Piergiuliano Chesi / CC BY 3.0;
picture 3: Lucarelli / CC BY 2.0
