Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fort), Livorno

Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fort), Livorno (must see)

Countess Matilda, Margrave of Tuscany in the 11th century, built a tower called the Keep of Countess Matilda. The tower was later incorporated into a fort built by the city of Pisa in 1377 called the Quadrature of the Pisans. These two structures were later the foundation of a new castle built by the Medici family, known now as the Old Fort.

Cosimo I de Medici started building the Old Fort in 1519. It was completed in 1534. The church of Saint Francis was built in the fortress in 1530. It was here, in 1606, that the ceremony proclaiming Livorno as a "city" took place.

There are three bastions and two gates. The landside bastion is called Ampolletta. The portside bastion is called Canaviglia. In the northeast is Capitana.

For centuries, the Old Fort has dominated the city skyline and is an iconic symbol of Livorno.

The Medici family made numerous modifications to the fort until the end of their dynasty in 1737. More changes were made during the Napoleonic era and later in the 19th century. Today, the Old Fort is managed by the Livorno Port Authority. The fort is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm. Admission is free.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Livorno. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fort)
Sight Location: Livorno, Italy (See walking tours in Livorno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Livorno Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Livorno, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Livorno

Creating your own self-guided walk in Livorno is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Livorno Seafront Walk

When the weather permits and you fancy a walk, whilst in Livorno, taking a stroll along the local seafront is a good idea. The curvy walkway, running along the coast, south of the city, is dotted with numerous points of interest. The first of them, marking the outset of the long stretch of intriguing sights further ahead, is the former Orlando shipyard.

Practically next door to it is the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Livorno Introduction Walking Tour

In the early 19th century, Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first person born in the United States to be canonized a saint, had a spiritual epiphany while visiting Livorno. The city has had similar effects on visitors and immigrants. Under Medici rule, people of every ethnicity and calling would come to Livorno to find prosperity and tolerance.

There have been settlements in the Livorno area since... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

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