La Spezia
Encyclopedia
La Spezia at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria
region of northern Italy
, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia
. Located between Genoa
and Pisa
on the Ligurian Sea
, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military industries, OTO Melara
.
times the most important centre was Luni now located in the vicinity of Sarzana
(city near La Spezia). Capital of the short-lived Niccolò Fieschi
Signoria
in the period between 1256 and 1273, inevitably linked with the Genoese vicissitudes until the fall of the Republic of Genoa
, it grew and changed to develop following the lines of the Ligurian capital.
In fact this Ligurian influence is still visible in the urban layout as well as in the types of buildings and decorations. It can be seen by going along the carrugio, the narrow street dividing the Old Town into two, called via del Prione taking its name from pietrone or large stone, in local dialect in fact prione, from where public announcements were read. Going up from the sea it is possible to see partly hidden but evident traces of past history: engraved stones, capitals and portals in 14th century sandstone, double lancet windows vaguely reminiscent of the future renaissance style, mannerism and baroque pediments and decorations similar to those adorning the portals of the palaces once belonging to the Doria family and the Princes of Massa
.
La Spezia knew an extraordinary development starting from the second half of the 19th Century, when the great Naval Arsenal was commissioned by the Savoys.
Midway through WW II after the Italian capitulation to the Allies, it was the departure port for the Italian Navy when it steamed into British hands at Malta. The Germans arrived too late to stop the departure of the fleet, so they summarily executed the remaining Italian Captains.
At the end of the Second World War, La Spezia became the point of departure for the survivors from the Nazi concentration camps. From the summer of 1945 to the spring of 1948 over 23,000 Jews
managed to leave Italy clandestinely for Palestine
. After lengthy tormented vicissitudes, the ships Fede, Fenice and Exodus managed to take away everyone from the Spezia gulf, to the point that on the Israeli geographical maps La Spezia is called «Schàar Zion», Door to Sion.
Snow is uncommon; it snows about once or twice a year. Heavy snowfalls are exceptional events: only in 1985 has there fallen more than 50 cm (the same year which recorded the lowest temperature since 1950: -16.8°C). Another big snowfall occurred during the night of 18th dec. 2009, with about 25 cm (9.8 in) of snow. In winter, if during the night the sky is clear and there are northeastern winds, the temperatures may fall several degrees below zero, reaching about -9 °, -10 °C (50 °F).
Instead in summer, especially in sunny days with hot southern winds, the temperature can easily exceed 30° and sometimes it reaches 35 °C (95 °F). Furthermore, the sensation of heat, in summer, and of cold, in winter, is increased by the high humidity.
For the conformation of the territory the city is not exposed to the winds from the north, which lap the western Liguria, but to those from the southeast. These winds bring heavy rain and they can reach 80 km/h, causing in some cases the blocking of the port
La Spezia is a point of departure for the Cinque Terre
, either by train or boat. The boat also serves Lerici
and Portovenere
before turning into the open sea towards the Cinque Terre. These localities are reachable by public transport (15 km) from the central railway station
of the city.
The university offers seven courses of degrees:
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
region of northern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia
Province of La Spezia
The Province of La Spezia is a province in the Liguria region of Italy. Its capital is the city of La Spezia.It has an area of 881 km², and a total population of 223,606 inhabitants...
. Located between Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
and Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
on the Ligurian Sea
Ligurian Sea
The Ligurian Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, between the Italian Riviera and the island of Corsica. The sea is probably named after the ancient Ligures people.-Geography:...
, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military industries, OTO Melara
Oto Melara
Oto Melara is an Italian defence company with factories in Brescia and La Spezia. It was founded in 1905 as a joint venture of Vickers and Terni. During World War I, Vickers Terni produced many weapons with calibre 40 mm and upwards. In 1929 the company was renamed Odero Terni Orlando with the...
.
History
The area of La Spezia has been settled since pre-historic times. In RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
times the most important centre was Luni now located in the vicinity of Sarzana
Sarzana
Sarzana is a town and comune in the Province of La Spezia, of Liguria, Italy, 15 km east of Spezia, on the railway to Pisa, at the point where the railway to Parma diverges to the north...
(city near La Spezia). Capital of the short-lived Niccolò Fieschi
Niccolò Fieschi
Niccolò Fieschi was an Italian Cardinal, of a prominent family of Genoa which features in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.He was bishop of Fréjus from 1485, and bishop of Agde from 1488...
Signoria
Signoria
A Signoria was an abstract noun meaning 'government; governing authority; de facto sovereignty; lordship in many of the Italian city states during the medieval and renaissance periods....
in the period between 1256 and 1273, inevitably linked with the Genoese vicissitudes until the fall of the Republic of Genoa
Republic of Genoa
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
, it grew and changed to develop following the lines of the Ligurian capital.
In fact this Ligurian influence is still visible in the urban layout as well as in the types of buildings and decorations. It can be seen by going along the carrugio, the narrow street dividing the Old Town into two, called via del Prione taking its name from pietrone or large stone, in local dialect in fact prione, from where public announcements were read. Going up from the sea it is possible to see partly hidden but evident traces of past history: engraved stones, capitals and portals in 14th century sandstone, double lancet windows vaguely reminiscent of the future renaissance style, mannerism and baroque pediments and decorations similar to those adorning the portals of the palaces once belonging to the Doria family and the Princes of Massa
Duchy of Massa and Carrara
The Duchy of Massa and Carrara was the duchy that controlled the towns of Massa di Carrara and Carrara; the area is now part of unified Italy, but retains its local identity as the province of Massa-Carrara.-History:...
.
La Spezia knew an extraordinary development starting from the second half of the 19th Century, when the great Naval Arsenal was commissioned by the Savoys.
Midway through WW II after the Italian capitulation to the Allies, it was the departure port for the Italian Navy when it steamed into British hands at Malta. The Germans arrived too late to stop the departure of the fleet, so they summarily executed the remaining Italian Captains.
At the end of the Second World War, La Spezia became the point of departure for the survivors from the Nazi concentration camps. From the summer of 1945 to the spring of 1948 over 23,000 Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
managed to leave Italy clandestinely for Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. After lengthy tormented vicissitudes, the ships Fede, Fenice and Exodus managed to take away everyone from the Spezia gulf, to the point that on the Israeli geographical maps La Spezia is called «Schàar Zion», Door to Sion.
Climate
La Spezia has a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot summers, but warm winters and very rainy autumns and springs. The average temperatures of the coldest month (January) are 1°min. and 8 max. In the hottest month (July) they are 19°min and 30° max. Average annual precipitation is 1343 mm, more than double that in London.Snow is uncommon; it snows about once or twice a year. Heavy snowfalls are exceptional events: only in 1985 has there fallen more than 50 cm (the same year which recorded the lowest temperature since 1950: -16.8°C). Another big snowfall occurred during the night of 18th dec. 2009, with about 25 cm (9.8 in) of snow. In winter, if during the night the sky is clear and there are northeastern winds, the temperatures may fall several degrees below zero, reaching about -9 °, -10 °C (50 °F).
Instead in summer, especially in sunny days with hot southern winds, the temperature can easily exceed 30° and sometimes it reaches 35 °C (95 °F). Furthermore, the sensation of heat, in summer, and of cold, in winter, is increased by the high humidity.
For the conformation of the territory the city is not exposed to the winds from the north, which lap the western Liguria, but to those from the southeast. These winds bring heavy rain and they can reach 80 km/h, causing in some cases the blocking of the port
Main sights
Churches
- Cristo Re dei Secoli ("Christ the King of Centuries", cathedral), consecrated in 1975. The project was by Adalberto LiberaAdalberto LiberaAdalberto Libera is one of the most representative architects of the Italian Modern movement, which should not be confused with the Italian Rationalist movement, with which he only had a short-lived relationship....
. - Abbey church of Santa Maria Assunta ("Our Lady of the Assumption", 13th century). It houses a considerable series of artworks, some of them coming from other suppressed religious institutes. They include an Incoronation of the Virgin by Andrea della RobbiaAndrea della RobbiaAndrea della Robbia was an Italian Renaissance sculptor, especially in ceramics. He was the son of Marco della Robbia. Andrea della Robbia's uncle, Luca della Robbia, popularized the use of glazed terra-cotta for sculpture...
, the Multiplication of Bread by Giovanni Battista Casoni and st. Bartholomew's Martyrdom by Luca Cambiaso. - Santi Giovanni e Agostino ("Saints John and Augustine", 16th century). It has a single nave with 18th and 19th century decorations.
Museums
- "Ubaldo Formentini" - Civic Museum in the Castle of San Giorgio
- "Amedeo Lia" Museum
- Palazzina delle Arti and Museum of Seals
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (CAMeC)
- Diocesan Museum
- Ethnographic Civic Museum
- Technical Naval Museum
- National Transportation Museum
Others
- Castle of San Giorgio, recently restored. Probably originated from a watchtower, a first castle is known to have been built by Niccolò FieschiNiccolò FieschiNiccolò Fieschi was an Italian Cardinal, of a prominent family of Genoa which features in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.He was bishop of Fréjus from 1485, and bishop of Agde from 1488...
in 1262. In 1273 the Genoese destroyed it, and a new fortification, along with a new line of walls, was erected by the podesteria of La Spezia from 1371. Annexed to this edifice, the Republic of GenoaRepublic of GenoaThe Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
added a new castle starting from 1607. - Public Gardens
- Art NouveauArt NouveauArt Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
-style villas - FuturistFuturism (art)Futurism was an artistic and social movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It emphasized and glorified themes associated with contemporary concepts of the future, including speed, technology, youth and violence, and objects such as the car, the airplane and the industrial city...
mosaic by Prampolini inside the Post Office
La Spezia is a point of departure for the Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia. "The Five Lands" is composed of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore...
, either by train or boat. The boat also serves Lerici
Lerici
Lerici is a town and comune in the province of La Spezia in Liguria , part of the Italian Riviera. Its nearest bay is the Bay of Lerici. The town is connected by ferry to the Cinque Terre and Portovenere....
and Portovenere
Portovenere
Porto Venere is a town and comune located on the Ligurian coast of Italy in the province of La Spezia. It comprises the three villages of Fezzano, Le Grazie and Porto Venere, and the three islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto...
before turning into the open sea towards the Cinque Terre. These localities are reachable by public transport (15 km) from the central railway station
La Spezia Centrale railway station
La Spezia Centrale railway station is the main station of La Spezia, situated in the Piazza Medaglie d’Oro in the city centre.-Overview:It is the largest of four stations in the municipal area...
of the city.
Notable people
- Alessia Aquilani (Alexia), singer
- Gian Carozzi, painter
- Giancarlo GianniniGiancarlo GianniniGiancarlo Giannini is an Italian actor and dubber.Giannini was born La Spezia, Liguria, Italy. He studied at the Accademia Nazionale d'Arte Drammatica in Rome, and made his film debut in a small part in Fango sulla metropoli in 1965...
, actor - Gian Paolo DulbeccoGian Paolo DulbeccoGian Paolo Dulbecco is an Italian painter.Born in La Spezia in 1941, he shows an early interest in art.From 1958 he lives in Milan, where begins painting as self-taught painter and graduates at Politecnico....
, painter - Ettore GracisEttore GracisEttore Gracis was an Italian conductor. Born in La Spezia, he studied at the Venice Conservatory and the Accademia Musicale Chigiana. He became involved with the Venice Festival of Contemporary Music and the Naples Festival, conducting modern revivals of classical Italian and German operas...
, conductor - Virginia Oldoini, countess of Castiglione
- Franco Oliva, architect
- Eros PagniEros PagniEros Pagni is an Italian film actor. He has appeared in 34 films since 1964. He was born in La Spezia, Liguria.-Selected filmography:* Pleasant Nights * Love and Anarchy * Deep Red...
, actor - Gaetano PesceGaetano PesceGaetano Pesce is an Italian architect and designer.-Biography:Gaetano Pesce was born in La Spezia in 1939. He studied Architecture at the University of Venice. He has since worked worldwide as an architect and a designer for companies such as B&B Italia, Vitra and Cassina. His most famous building...
, designer - Arrigo PetaccoArrigo PetaccoArrigo Petacco is an Italian writer, historian and journalist.- Life and activities :He was special envoy, editor-in-chief and executive director of La Nazione and La Storia Illustrata, and author of the homonymous monthly television program on the RAI.He began his journalistic career at Il...
, writer - Giacinto ScelsiGiacinto ScelsiGiacinto Scelsi , Count of Ayala Valva was an Italian composer who also wrote surrealist poetry in French....
, composer - Alberto SorrentinoAlberto SorrentinoAlberto Sorrentino , was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 89 films between 1943 and 1988. He was born in La Spezia, Italy.-Selected filmography:* Vendetta.....
, actor - Alessandro PetacchiAlessandro PetacchiAlessandro Petacchi is an Italian professional road racing cyclist for .A specialist sprinter, Petacchi has won 51 grand tour stages with wins of the points jersey in the Giro d'Italia in 2004, the Vuelta a España in 2005 and the Tour de France in 2010.In 2007 Alessandro was banned from cycling...
, cyclist
Economy
Today, La Spezia is the chief Italian naval station and arsenal and the seat of a navigation school. It is also a commercial port, with shipyards and industries producing machinery, metal products, and refined petroleum.Education
Since 2002 La Spezia is headquarters of a University named G. Marconi.The university offers seven courses of degrees:
- computer security (five-year)
- information technology (three-year)
- mechanical engineering (three-year)
- Mechatronics (five-year)
- Naval design (five-year)
- Naval engineering (three-year)
- seamanship engineering (five-year)
External links
- Satellite picture by Google Maps
- A Path to Lunch Archive and Blog centered in Lunigiana / La Spezia. Walks, Buses, Food, History