Our History

The Palio del Golfo, a traditional rowing boat regatta in which 13 seaside city districts and villages compete in the gulf of the city, and our traditions in close connection with the sea characterize La Spezia and its territory. Come and discover our history made of villages, illustrious people, and ancient traditions.

Chronology of the city

La Spezia in main historical milestones.

Monuments

In La Spezia it’s possible to admire many monuments.

Historic Gardens' Statues

Inside the Gardens you can admire magnificent sculptures.

Virginia Oldoini

She was born in Florence in 1837 and grew up in La Spezia. She also was the cousin-in-law of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour.

Simonetta Cattaneo

Simonetta Cattaneo was one of the most beautiful women of the 15th century, icon of the florentine Renaissance.

Ancient Carnival

Carnival here in La Spezia has very ancient roots, more ancient than those of the Viareggio Carnival, and even if it is probably not as famous as Carnivals in other areas of Italy, it has a Carnival mask identifying this territory – Batiston.

La Spezia and Art Nouveau (or Liberty)

In 1903, Turin held the Universal Exhibition marking the birth of the Art Nouveau style in Italy.

La Spezia and futurism

There is an indelible liaison historically and ideally linking Futurism and the Gulf of La Spezia.

The park of the ancient city walls

The Parco delle Mura is a 4km-long path immersed in nature, connecting the city center of La Spezia to the hill area.