In Italy, tourists can visit the picturesque city of La Spezia. Its atmosphere is drastically different from the atmosphere of the nearby settlements. As a rule, all towns in this region are peaceful and silent, but La Spezia is an exception. This is a loud and energetic city. Besides a vibrant atmosphere and interesting life, this city has many architectural attractions and rich historic heritage. In the past, La Spezia was often referred to as the “poetic bay” because many writers such as Byron, Dante, and George Sand were visiting this city to find inspiration here. La Spezia is definitely worth a visit. Spend several days here to indulge in the atmosphere of this place and enjoy your Italian vacation.
There are no historic records that mention the exact date when this Italian city was founded. Historians know that this region was not much populated during the reign of the Roman Empire. The Etruscan city of Lumi was the only large settlement here, but the Saracens destroyed it in the 11th century. La Spezia belonged to the Fieschi family until 1276. In the coming years, many tried to make this region their own. When Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Liguria at the end of the 18th century, La Spezia became a part of his republic.
La Spezia is a coastal city but there are no beaches in its territory. As numerous ships arrive in the bay every day and many yachts are docked in the city, the coastal water is quite dirty in the area. Despite this, the city doesn’t lose its appeal, and it is definitely worth visiting. La Spezia has an incredibly beautiful waterfront that is seven kilometers long and thirty meters wide. The width is up to forty-five meters in some areas. When taking a stroll along the Ligurian coast, it is impossible to fail to notice the breathtaking views of the bay and the surrounding mountains covered with forests. Without a doubt, gorgeous sea views make the waterfront even more attractive.
It is ultimately pleasant to walk in the modern pedestrian area with rows of tall palm trees and tidy lawn. The La Spezia waterfront is the most luxurious place in the city, and a large marina is the heart of this district. Beautiful cruise ships, ferries, and yachts regularly arrive here. Tourists are welcome to make an hour-long sea voyage. Large medieval cannons are a true pride of the waterfront. Having explored the waterfront, consider going to the charming park with magnificent fountains and comfortable benches. In the evening, thousands of lights illuminate the waterfront, making it even more attractive.
Castello San Giorgio wins the title of the main attraction of La Spezia. The beautiful fortification stands on the Poggio hill. The construction works started in the middle of the 13th century. The castle was supposed to protect the region from alien attacks. Over the centuries, Castello San Giorgio was rebuilt a number of times. Nowadays, this is a marvelous fortress with towers and arrow-slits. In order to get inside, visitors need to enter the western or northern gate. The first gate has a coat of arms of Genoa, and Saint George protects the northern gate. The castle got its name after the saint.
Would you like to learn more about the history of Liguria? Nowadays, the castle holds the exhibition of the museum of archaeology. Numerous archaeological excavations made it possible to open a whole museum with many precious artifacts. During a visit to this venue, tourists can learn more not only about the historical past of the city but also about the destiny of the whole of Liguria over the centuries.
Besides important historical exhibits, the archaeological museum displays several collections of various findings that tell more about the culture and traditions of the region. Locals still cherish the traditions of the past. Don’t forget to take a look at the collection of artifacts discovered during the archaeological excavations in the ruins of Lumi, an ancient Etruscan city.
There are several ways to get to La Spezia. There is a daily train from Genoa to the capital of Italy that makes a stop in the Italian resort city. The journey time is roughly one hour. There is a longer route from Milan to Turin. The journey time is almost four hours in this case. When heading from Pisa, tourists can take a train ride to La Spezia that lasts one hour and a half.