Identity: the Moors, the Venezia, the rowing districts

Origins

Livorno's centre bears the Medici imprint: the grand dukes abolished customs duties and welcomed merchants from all over the world, and the city grew as a trading hub. The Venezia Nuova was built between 1629 and 1645 on partly submerged land, with techniques and workers brought from the Venetian lagoon, hence the name. The Museo della Città, opened in 2018 in the Bottini dell'Olio, tells the city's history with sections on Livorno artists such as Leonetto Cappiello and Pietro Mascagni.

The Four Moors

The monument to Ferdinando I de' Medici in piazza Micheli, facing the old dock, celebrates victories over Barbary corsairs; according to the Region's tourism portal the statue has stood in its present position since 1617. The grand duke's statue is by Giovanni Bandini, the four chained bronze Moors by Pietro Tacca. According to the city's tourism portal, livornesi identify more with the Moors than with the grand duke.

Districts and rowing races

The rowing season opens on 25 April and includes the Coppa Barontini, raced at night along the Medici canals, the Coppa Risiatori from the Meloria shoals to the Darsena Nuova, and the Palio Marinaro in front of the Terrazza Mascagni, which closes the season. Eight historic districts compete in their colours: Venezia, Borgo, Labrone, Ardenza, Ovo Sodo, Pontino, Salviano and San Jacopo, on ten-oar gozzi.

Cacciucco, a rock-fish soup with tomato and chilli served on toasted bread, is the city's dish: every family has its own version.