La Spezia is a port city located on the Ligurian Sea. It is naturally protected in the Gulf of La Spezia, which provides space for one of Italy’s major commercial and military ports. For many centuries up to the mid-19th century, La Spezia was a smaller city that was strongly inspired by Genoa and Genoese traditions in construction, among other things. In 1861, the Italian government placed a large naval port in La Spezia, which caused the city to grow rapidly into the modern port city it is today. Now, for example, a number of cruise ships sail from the port on tours of the Mediterranean.

You can start by exploring the city center, where the Via del Prione street is a lively street filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. Here you can experience the local atmosphere and enjoy a leisurely walk through the city’s historic neighborhoods with a number of exciting sights, museums and cultural institutions. The streetscape includes a number of mansions that were primarily built in the early 20th century.

An interesting sight in La Spezia is the Museo Tecnico Navale. It is a museum located close to the city’s large port in the old part of the city, and a visit gives a good insight into Italy’s maritime history, which has also left its mark on La Spezia. The museum houses an extensive collection of objects of a maritime nature such as old ship models, navigation instruments and historical documents.

There are also a few interesting churches in the city. Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta is an old church that was the city’s cathedral from 1929 to 1975, when the Cattedrale di Cristo Rei or Cathedral of Christ the King in Piazza dell’Europa was inaugurated. It was built from 1959 and stands in modern architecture in concrete with a circular church room as its dominant element. The room is 50 meters in diameter and supported by 12 columns, the number of which represents Jesus’ disciples.

Perhaps the biggest attraction in La Spezia is the Castle of San Giorgio (Via XXVII Marzo), which dates back to 1262, when a new structure was built on the site of a smaller fortress that had already stood for a while. However, in 1273, the Republic of Genoa conquered La Spezia. As a result, the castle was destroyed, and the Doria family took over ownership of large parts of the area.

In 1343, the castle was rebuilt, and over the following centuries it was expanded. The city’s defenses were reorganized in the 19th century, when the Castello di San Giorgio became redundant. However, it was saved and later restored, so that today it stands as a monument from the Middle Ages and as an exciting museum. From the castle there is a fine view of the city and the area, and from the details you can see, among other things, the coat of arms of the Republic of Genoa.

La Spezia’s location by the city’s large natural harbor also provides good recreational opportunities. There are several beaches in the region, and to the south is the Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere, which is worth a visit. It is a scenic park that offers spectacular views of the sea and the surrounding cliffs. The park is ideal for hiking and outdoor activities, and it also includes the charming town of Porto Venere, a cozy small town in contrast to the big city of La Spezia.

Finally, La Spezia is also the gateway to the Cinque Terre, an area that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Cinque Terre is more specifically the name of a beautiful stretch of coastline on the Italian Riviera in Liguria. The area includes the nature along the coast and the five towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, and it is designated as the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre.