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Lungolago Roma, 37011 Bardolino, Italy (May 2018)
La Spezia
La Spezia is a vibrant coastal city located in the Liguria region of north-western Italy, nestled between the rolling hills of the Italian Riviera and the sparkling waters of the Ligurian Sea. Often known as the gateway to the Cinque Terre, La Spezia offers much more than its role as a transit point. The city combines maritime heritage, cultural depth, and scenic beauty, creating a destination that balances urban energy with access to some of Italy’s most stunning coastal landscapes. Its strategic position and historic significance have shaped a character that is both dynamic and welcoming.
The history of La Spezia is closely tied to the sea. Although the area has been inhabited since ancient times, the city developed significantly in the nineteenth century when it became an important naval base for the Italian Navy. This maritime identity remains central to La Spezia’s character today. The large natural harbour, one of the finest in the Mediterranean, continues to serve both military and commercial purposes, while also supporting tourism and leisure boating. The city’s naval heritage is evident in its layout, architecture, and institutions, giving La Spezia a distinct identity compared to other Ligurian towns.
One of the city’s most notable cultural attractions is the Technical Naval Museum, which showcases Italy’s naval history through a collection of ship models, instruments, and historical artifacts. The museum highlights La Spezia’s role in maritime innovation and defence, offering visitors insight into the city’s longstanding relationship with the sea. Art lovers can also explore the Amedeo Lia Civic Museum, home to an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts ranging from antiquity to the eighteenth century. These cultural institutions demonstrate that La Spezia is not only a port city but also a centre of artistic and intellectual life.
The historic centre of La Spezia is lively and accessible, featuring pedestrian streets, elegant squares, and a mix of modern and historic buildings. Walking through the city, visitors encounter cafes, boutiques, and local markets that reflect everyday Italian life. The central market, with its fresh seafood, produce, and regional specialties, offers an authentic glimpse into local culinary traditions. The atmosphere is relaxed yet energetic, making La Spezia an enjoyable place to explore on foot.
La Spezia’s waterfront is another defining feature. The Morin promenade stretches along the harbour, offering beautiful views of the sea, passing boats, and surrounding hills. This area is ideal for leisurely walks, especially in the evening, when the city takes on a softer, more romantic ambiance. From the harbour, ferries and boats depart for the Cinque Terre villages, Portovenere, and nearby islands, making La Spezia an excellent base for coastal exploration. The ease of access to these destinations adds to the city’s appeal for travellers seeking both convenience and variety.
The natural surroundings of La Spezia further enhance its attractiveness. The city is bordered by hills and green spaces, with hiking trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Gulf of Poets, named for the writers and artists inspired by this stretch of coastline. Nearby beaches, coves, and cliffs provide opportunities for swimming, boating, and enjoying the Mediterranean environment. The combination of urban amenities and natural beauty creates a balanced experience that caters to different interests and travel styles.
La Spezia’s cuisine reflects the flavours of Liguria, emphasizing simplicity and fresh ingredients. Local dishes often feature seafood, herbs, olive oil, and vegetables, with specialties such as pesto, focaccia, and anchovies playing a prominent role. Restaurants and trattorias throughout the city serve both traditional and contemporary interpretations of regional cuisine, allowing visitors to enjoy authentic flavours in a relaxed setting.
La Spezia is a city that offers far more than its reputation as a gateway to the Cinque Terre. Its maritime heritage, cultural institutions, lively historic centre, and scenic waterfront create a destination with its own distinct identity. Combined with its proximity to breath-taking coastal landscapes and its welcoming atmosphere, La Spezia provides travellers with a rich and rewarding introduction to the Ligurian coast. Whether exploring museums, strolling along the harbour, or setting out to discover nearby villages, visitors to La Spezia experience a city that blends tradition, culture, and natural beauty in a compelling and memorable way.
Worth a Visit
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi in La Spezia is one of the city’s most vibrant and recognizable public spaces, located just a short distance from the main railway station, La Spezia Centrale. The square, dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the celebrated hero of Italian unification, serves as both a symbolic tribute to national history and a lively gathering point within the modern urban fabric. Its central position makes it a natural meeting place for residents and visitors alike, as it forms a gateway between the station, the commercial heart of the city, and the streets that lead toward the historic centre and the seafront. The piazza is distinguished by its sense of openness and greenery, offering a contrast to the dense grid of surrounding streets.
Via del Prione is one of the most iconic and lively streets in La Spezia, a city in the Liguria region of northern Italy. Stretching through the historic centre, it is a pedestrian thoroughfare that embodies the character of the city, combining history, culture, and daily life in a single urban corridor. For both residents and visitors, Via del Prione is much more than just a street: it is a vibrant artery where tradition meets modernity, and where the rhythm of the city can best be experienced on foot. The origins of Via del Prione date back to the Middle Ages, when it formed part of the main route that connected the early nucleus of La Spezia to its surrounding areas.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta, located in the heart of La Spezia, is one of the city’s most important places of worship and a significant landmark within its historical and cultural landscape. Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the parish church reflects the deep religious traditions of the region while also bearing witness to the historical transformations that have shaped La Spezia over the centuries. Its presence in the urban centre gives it both spiritual and civic importance, as it has long served as a focal point for community life, faith, and local identity. The origins of the church date back to medieval times, when La Spezia was still a modest settlement along the Ligurian coast.
The Giardini Pubblici of La Spezia, also known as the Public Gardens, are among the city’s most beloved and picturesque green spaces. Situated along Viale Mazzini, close to the seafront and within walking distance of the historic centre, the gardens provide a refreshing oasis of tranquillity in the midst of urban life. Established in the nineteenth century during a period of major transformation for La Spezia, the Giardini Pubblici were conceived as part of the city’s modernization, offering both residents and visitors a place for leisure, relaxation, and cultural enrichment. Today, they remain one of the most frequented spots in the city, cherished for their beauty, accessibility, and historical significance. The layout of the gardens reflects the influence of the nineteenth-century taste for orderly, decorative public spaces. Shaded pathways, flowerbeds, and rows of palm trees create an elegant atmosphere that is both welcoming and relaxing.
Photo Gallery of Walk – Stazione La Spezia Centrale, Piazzetta Ancona to Passeggiata Costantino Morin
Approximately 4.52 km – 2.80 miles
The walk sarts at Stazione La Spezia Centrale – Piazzetta Ancona – Via Fiume – Piazza Saint Bon – Via Fiume – Via Lazzaro Spallanzani – Via del Prione – Via Napoli – Walk back along Via Napoli to Via del Prione – Via del Vecchio Ospedale – Via del Prione – Salita Quintino Sella – Via XX Settembre – Walk back down to Salita Quintino Sella – Via del Prione – Via Baldassarre Biassa – Piazza Giulio Beverini – Walk back to Via del Prione – Via Calatafimi, Piazza Sant’ Agostino – Walk back to Via del Prione – Via Armando Diaz Giardini Pubblici – Banchina Thaon di Revel – Walk back to – Passeggiata Costantino Morin
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