La Spezia
La Spezia is a city that is found in the stretch of a large gulf between Lerici and Portovenere, which was given the name The Poets’ Gulf due to time spent here by artists such as Byron, Shelly and D.H. Lawrence. The city got to know great urban expansion during the period of the Naval Arsenal’s construction, conceived by Camillo Basso count of Cavour and designed by Domenico Chiodo in 1860. From then on it developed as both a military and commercial port and in these last years it has also taken on tourism, thanks to the renovation and modernization of particular services and of the pedestrian walkways in the historical center.
To attest the great maritime past is The Naval Museum of La Spezia, created in 1870 and then enriched with model ships that vary from ancient Egyptian-Roman ships to the most modern Navy combat vessels in all of Europe.
Another fundamental cultural site is the Museo Civico - Civic Museum. This museum hosts important archeological findings from the Bronze and Steel Ages, of which, the famous stele statues of Luni, the rich and vast section dedicated to Ancient Rome and the picturesque ethnographical section.
In the years, up and coming artist has notably been enriched by the birth of modern art museums (above all Il Museau Lia – The Lia Museum). An artistic and cultural journey can be experienced by following along the central street Via del Prione and arriving at outside the walls of the Arsenal. The city and its seaside is a place to embark ferries that go to Cinque Terre, Porto Venere and the islands.
Il Castello di San Georgio – San Georgio’s Castle dominantly prevails inside the city. The occidental part dates back to 1371, while the part facing the east is Genoese work from the beginning of the XVII century. Today it is a venue for conferences, exhibits, and other initiatives held on the scenic terrace.
Useful Links
Official website of La Spezia: www.comune.sp.it
Gateway to information about La Spezia and the province: www.cittadellaspezia.com
Sistema Turistico Locale: www.stl.sp.it
