Pisa and Livorno

The historically rivals

Located in Tuscany, one of the most beautiful, evocative and itinerant regions of Italy, they have in common not only a lot of history but also a proverbial and ancient rivalry. The animosity between Pisa and Livorno is one of the most famous (and often hilarious) examples of "parochialism", a term that refers to local pride and rivalry between neighboring cities and villages in Italy. The roots of this rivalry can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Pisa was once a powerful maritime republic, but suffered a significant defeat at the hands of Genoa in 1284 during the Battle of Meloria, fought near the Livorno coast. As a result, Livorno gradually emerged as Tuscany's principal port, eclipsing Pisa's maritime supremacy. If you are in Tuscany, Pisa and Livorno are two cities that absolutely must be visited, especially by those who love art, history, popular traditions and food and wine tours. In such a context, it is possible to indulge in the tranquility and serenity of the spirit in the contemplation of a primordial nature free of contaminating factors, among the rows of vines neatly arranged on the gentle and harmonious hilly slopes, where one can breathe the history that overflows with ancient , and where it is possible to taste the flavors of the varied and delicious culinary tradition, which has become an art thanks to the extraordinary ability of the Tuscans to transform typical local products into true gastronomic excellences, appreciated and renowned not only nationally, but also and above all outside the borders of our country. Pisa and Livorno are two traveling destinations, within a few kilometers of distance, worthy of being visited.
Livorno sunset - Photo by Angelo Lanzetta from Pixabay
Livorno sunset - Photo by Angelo Lanzetta from Pixabay

Livorno

Located along the coast of the Ligurian Sea, Livorno is a city in Tuscany with about 160,000 inhabitants; it is one of the most important ports in Italy both from a commercial and tourist point of view. In addition to the modern port used for the docking of cruise ships, Livorno is also famous for the numerous Renaissance fortifications and for the gastronomic specialties based on fish, such as the famous Cacciucco to which one of the major folkloristic events in Livorno is dedicated , the " cacciucco pride ". One of the main attractions of the city is the Mercato delle Vettovaglie , one of the most interesting architectural structures in the city, representing the past of the city, which was once a well-known commercial port. This structure, dating back to the mid-19th century, was built in iron and glass, to create a solid but delicate-looking structure. The Mascagni Terrace is the ideal place for a healthy and relaxing walk along the promenade and extends over what was once known as the Forte dei Cavaleggeri which, following the unification of Italy, was dismantled by the local authorities and then transformed on the terrace with a view. The Medici ditches run along the defense borders of Livorno. This work was completed thanks to Claudio Cogorano, with the help of about 2000 slaves and 5000 peasants. In 2002 these canals became UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the best way to visit them is to enjoy them during a boat tour . One of the largest squares in Livorno is Piazza della Repubblica , which was built between 1838 and 1845, in order to modernize the urban aspect of the city. The historic heart of the city is Venezia Nuova, the only area of the city that has preserved most of its monuments after the Second World War. Also worth a visit are the Leopoldino Aqueduct , which was created to provide fresh and clean water between 1816 and 1912, and is still an incredible public work, as is the Cisternino , which represents one of the most important examples of a neoclassical. The symbol of the city is the Four Moors Monument , formed by a marble statue (representing Ferdinando I of Tuscany) and a bronze base. To enclose the history of the entire city, there is the old fortress, an ancient fortification that stands on the edge of the Medici port. The city is also full of period buildings, such as the Medici Palace (16th century), the Palazzo della Dogana (1648), the Palazzo delle Colonne di Marmo , the latter attributed to one of the most important architects of the time: Giovan Battista Foglini. The city is also dotted with villas that boast a certain historical and architectural prestige such as, for example, Villa Mimbelli with the fantastic Moorish hall, Villa Fabbricotti and Villa Henderson . Among the churches to visit in addition to the Duomo , there are also the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie , known as the Sanctuary of Montenero, raised to the rank of minor basilica in 1818 by Pope Pius VII, inhabited by Vallombrosan monks and consecrated to the Madonna delle Grazie of Montenero and the Church of Sant'Andrea , located in Piazza del Cisternone, built in the first half of the nineteenth century on a project by the architect Gaetano Ghirardi. In addition to the aforementioned Cacciucco pride, there are numerous city folklore events, including "The Venice effect", the traditional festival held between July and August, the "Livorno music festival" which takes place in late August and the "FIPILI Horror Festival ”the festival of fear that spans cinema, literature and art. Among the gastronomic delicacies, in addition to the cacciucco it is also possible to taste the famous "chickpea cake".
Piazza dei Miracoli - Pisa - Photo by Walkerssk from Pixabay
Piazza dei Miracoli - Pisa - Photo by Walkerssk from Pixabay

History of Pisa

Pisa is an Italian city in Tuscany with just over ninety thousand inhabitants. It is the city where Galileo Galilei was born, one of the greatest geniuses in history, to which the largest airport in Tuscany is dedicated, which bears his name. The city is home to three of the most important university institutions in Italy and Europe: the University of Pisa , the Scuola Normale Superiore, the Sant'Anna high school and numerous research institutes, including the National Research Council (CNR ). In the past it was an important maritime republic. Famous is the monumental complex that stands in Piazza del Popolo better known as " Piazza dei Miracoli ", declared World Heritage Site, where the three most famous monuments are located: the Cathedral , the Baptistery and the famous " Tower of Pisa ". The cathedral, or " Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta ", is one of the most significant examples of Pisan Romanesque art. Designed by the architect Buscheto, it represents a fusion of Norman, Byzantine, early Christian and Arab art. It is located in the center of the Piazza dei Miracoli and inside there are numerous works by Benozzo Gozzoli and Andrea del Castagno. The Baptistery of San Giovanni rises in front of the western facade of the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, south of the Camposanto Monumentale. Its construction, started in 1153, is the work of the architect Diotisalvi, although many sculptures on the facade were made by Nicola Pisano and his son Giovanni. This baptistery is the largest in Italy. The Tower of Pisa , 57 meters high, is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Built between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, it is the most famous monument in Pisa and one of the most famous in Italy, known worldwide for its characteristic slope, which makes it unique in its kind. It has been proposed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Also not to be missed is the Camposanto Monumentale , the place where the crusaders brought the holy land taken on Mount Golgota. The best known characters are buried here and inside there are works of art from the Etruscan age, to the Roman and medieval ones, up to the masterpieces dating back to the last century. In addition to the Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa is also famous for its lungarni : the streets that line the Arno river, a meeting point both for the Pisans and for tourists. Although there are numerous Renaissance-looking buildings, you can breathe the medieval atmosphere in this place. Another square that deserves to be visited, is Piazza de 'Cavalieri, commissioned by the Grand Duke Cosimo de' Medici, takes its name from the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of Saint Stephen, once a place of city power. To date, however, it is a cultural place, in fact the Palazzo della Carovana , houses the Scuola Normale di Pisa. When Keith Haring passed through Pisa in 1989, he left the city with an incredible work of art: the mural " Tuttomondo ", made on the rear facade of the convent of the friars "Servants of Mary" of the Church of Sant'Antonio, which certainly deserves a visit. The most characteristic street of the center is narrow Borgo , full of arcades, historic shops and cafes. Once the porticoes of Borgo Borgo are finished, you enter Borgo largo , in Piazza del Pozzetto. There you can fully experience the atmosphere of the city. Among the typical dishes, we find the frog soup, the San Michele white bean soup, the mullet, the grilled cod or even meat dishes, such as pheasant, wild boar or rabbit meat.
Elba island - Photo by Roland Schmitt from Pixabay
Elba island - Photo by Roland Schmitt from Pixabay

Entertainment

Among the major attractions of the city of Livorno, there is the aquarium, an activity also suitable for children, where you can discover numerous varieties of aquatic animals and spend a day full of culture and fun. If you find yourself in Livorno in the summer, know that, being a seaside town, it is full of beaches where you could go to relax and have a nice swim. If you are by car, you can move to Piombino to take the ferry to the Island of Elba, the largest of the islands of the Tuscan archipelago. If instead you move to Pisa, you can find many museums: there is the Blue Palace for art lovers or the Museum of Natural History, where you can discover the remains of animals of the past. Finally, after visiting the tower, which you can also visit in the evening in the summer, you can also enjoy a nice carriage ride, complete with explanations and anecdotes about the past of this city.
Livorno - Photo by Laura Montagnani from Pixabay
Livorno - Photo by Laura Montagnani from Pixabay
Climate, curiosity and advice
Climate : the coastal strip, including Livorno, has a typically Mediterranean climate. The driest month is July, while the rainiest is October. The climate of Pisa is Mediterranean, with mild and quite rainy winters, and hot and sunny summers. The coldest month is January, while the hottest is August.
Curiosity : the Tower of Pisa owes its slope to the ground. In fact, the land on which it was built was a mixture of sand and clay and, due to the subsidence that occurred in the past, today has its particular inclination.
Tips : Pisa and Livorno cities really have a lot to offer, so arm yourself with comfortable shoes, and discover these beauties, rich in history, culture, culinary tradition and incredible landscapes surrounded by greenery.