2017 - Livorno, by the Sea

As usual, our school planned yet another afternoon adventure for us! This time we head to Livorno, by the sea. 

From Lucca, we first take the train to Pisa, with only a glimpse or two of the Leaning Tower. From Pisa, another train takes us to Livorno.

Courtesy Google: "Livorno is an Italian port city on the west coast of Tuscany. It's known for its seafood, Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbor with a cruise ship port. Its central Terrazza Mascagni, a waterside promenade with checkerboard paving, is the city's main gathering place. The bastions of the 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia face the harbor and open onto Livorno's canal-laced Venezia Nuova quarter."

This is the train station in Livorno.

I'm traveling with Bob & Allison. They are from Australia and Bob is in my class. As Bob says, the station was "heaving" with tourists! 

We start our walking tour at the  Piazza della Repubblica, at the blue star below. From there, we head north to the Fortezza Nuova. Notice the canals and the many, many boats.

This fort, situated in a body of water, was designed by Bernardo Buontalenti & completed in 1604.

Not much left inside the Fortezza.

We had a few questions for our guide...

This statue was quite alarming, until we read its story.

We made it to our destination; Terrazza Mascagni, the waterside promenade, complete with checkerboard paving.

This view is looking west, onto the Ligurian Sea. Notice the large container ships....

Looking south...

Looking back, we see the Grand Hotel Palazzo Livorno with its two large antennas at the top. Guglielmo Marconi (usually credited as the inventor of radio) used them at the turn of the 19th century to advance his efforts in long-distance wireless communications.

Livorno is also known for its "high" fashion!

Enough walking! Let's have a beer. They even had limes for our Coronas. As usual, we had a great time and enjoyed the company of our fellow students. Ciao!