Venice Quarter
Top Highlight in Livorno
Cruise Port Guide: Review (2023)

Venice Quarter (Quartieri Venezia) is a must-site to visit on a cruise to Livorno in 2023. Discover how to get; highlights; map; basic info; other sites and restaurants nearby.

By:
Last Update: June 28, 2023

Referred to as 'Venezia Nuova' or 'Quartieri Venezia' in Italian - New Venice or Venice Quarter in English - this is the only area of the historical center of Livorno which has kept the ambiance of the city's past after the devastation of the Second World War.

Photo of Fosso Real by Venice Quarter in Livorno

Fosso Real by Venice Quarter in Livorno

Photo © IQCruising.com

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Via Borra
  3. Palazzo delle Colonne di Marmo
  4. Palazzo del Monte di Pieta
  5. Palazzo Huigens
  6. Church of St. Catherine
  7. Bottini del'Olio
  8. St. John of Nepomuk Monument
  9. Church of San Ferdinando
  10. Practical Info
  11. How to get there
  12. Quartieri Venezia Map
  13. Other attractions nearby
  14. Restaurants nearby

Overview

Interestingly the area was not part of the original urban plan designed by Bernardo Buontalenti, who conceived Livorno as an ideal city of pentagonal shape surrounded by a moat (the Fosso Reale). In fact, it was only after the invitation made by Ferdinando I (Medici) to merchants from all over Europe to move to Livorno - offering special privileges and incentives - that a population boom led to the development of this area, until then out of the fortified city.

Photo of Canals and Bridges of the Venice Quarter in Livorno

Canals and Bridges (Venice Quarter) in Livorno

Photo © IQCruising.com

Covered by water channels and defensive moats, the area between the recently built Fortezza Nuova (New Fort) and the Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fort) would become an extension of the new city. This time, the urban plan was designed by architect Giovanni Battista Santi who conceived a mixed mercantile and residential neighborhood with easy access to the port. Due to the many water canals and the need to lay foundations very similar and inspired by the building of Venice, the area become know as 'New Venice'.

For the next couple of centuries this island amidst the city became the economic center of Livorno, as wealthy merchants made their homes here. To this day, this section of the city has managed to retain its old-world charm and it is a delight to visit. This is the location where 'Effetto Venezia' - a 10-day Festival with events, shows and concerts - is held in the Summer. Amongst the many historical landmarks the following are some of the most interesting highlights.

Via Borra

Photo of Via Borra in Livorno

Via Borra (Venice Quarter) in Livorno

Photo © IQCruising.com

Via Borra (a on map) is the main street in the Venice Quarter. It was along this street that the wealthiest merchants lived and it was also the location of many consulates in the first half of the 19th century, including that of Britain, Bremen, Prussia, Saxony, Antwerp, and Hanover. The street was named after Livorno's governor Marquis Alessandro Dal Borro. One of the most memorable features of the street is the Ponte di Marmo, a bridge made with marble parapets, on which still can be read inscriptions left by 18th-century boatmen.

Palazzo delle Colonne di Marmo

Photo of Palazzo delle Colone di Marmo in Livorno

Palazzo delle Colone di Marmo (Venice Quarter) in Livorno

Photo © IQCruising.com

This building is known as the Palace of Marble Columns, due to the presence of a marble column on each side of the entrance, and it is a true thing of beauty for the eye to behold. Now annexed to the 'Monte di Pieta', it was built by a merchant from Lucca in the early 18th century.

Palazzo del Monte di Pieta

Built in the early part of the 18th century, this building was originally part of the northern rampart of the old city. Later, the Venice Quarter was built as was Fort San Pietro, and the building was reduced in size to make room for the construction of new buildings. Now owned by the Savings Bank of Livorno, the building still exhibits beautiful architecture.

Palazzo Huigens

This building was the result of the expansion of the Venice Quarter and was built in the early 18th century, next to the Palace of Marble Columns. It was built to serve as a residence and later a second floor was added. Among those who have stayed here the Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici and the Danish King, Frederick IV are the noblest.

Church of St. Catherine

An highlight in itself, the unfinished facade and incomplete aspect of this majestic church on Piazza Dominicanni should not deter the cruise passenger to visit its interior. Although seriously damaged during WWII the artworks were saved and the reconstruction is an immaculate one. Learn more about the St Catherine's Church  ❯

Photo of Piazza Dominicanni in Livorno

Church of St. Catherine in Piazza Dominicanni (Venice Quarter) in Livorno

Photo © IQCruising.com

Bottini del'Olio

This was once a warehouse built at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century for the purpose of storing oil (c on map). Recently rebuilt, the Bottini del'Olio house now the City's Museum.

Photo of Monument to St John of Nepomuk in Livorno

St John of Nepomuk (Venice Quarter) in Livorno

Photo © IQCruising.com

St. John of Nepomuk Monument

This monument (d on map) was built in honor of the visit to Livorno of Francis I of the Holy Roman Empire and Maria Theresa of Austria. They visited on March 6, 1739, and the monument was erected on a bridge that leads the way into New Venice.

Church of San Ferdinando

Construction of the church (b on map) was started in 1707 on the west end of 'Venezia Nuova' and it was created in a Baroque style that has made it one of the loveliest churches in Livorno. The church managed to survive the bombing of World War II. The exterior is rather unadorned, but the interior of the church steals the show with the sculptures by Giovanni Baratta and wonderful side chapels.

Practical Information

WHERE:Historical Centre
When:Developed during the 17th Century
Architect:Giovanni Battista Santi
Highlights:Church of St. Catherine, Church of San Ferdinando, Via Borra, Palazzo delle Colonne di Marmo, Palazzo Huigens, Palazzo del Monte di Pieta, St. John of Nepomuk Monument, Bottini del'olio - Fortezza Nuova and Fortezza Vecchia.
Flavors:Enoteca Forte San Pietro, L'Antica Venezia, Ristorante Il Forte, Ristorante L'Ancora.
Notes:The 'Effecto Venezia' is a 10-day Summer Festival with events, shows and concerts targeting mainly young adults.

How to get to the Venice Quarter

For the cruise passenger taking the shuttle to Piazza Municipio, the easiest way to start an exploration of the Venice Quarter is to walk to Via Borra, which is the main street of this old part of the city.

Alternatively the walk trough Via della Madonna offers views of the Fortezza Nuova (New Fort) and of the monument to St. John of Nepomuk (d on map).

There isn't much to see farther East of the St Catherine's church. But the area south of this church is where you will find other attractions of the Quartieri Venezia.

If docked at the Porto Industriale in the closest piers to the city, the cruise passenger may attempt to walk to the Venice Quarter - just make sure to use the exit next to the Mercatino Americano.

Venice Quarter - Map

Map of Venice Quarter in Livorno with nearby attractions

Attractions and Highlights close to the Venice Quarter

On the east side of the Venice Quarter, the massive Fortezza Nuova (New Fort) is impossible to miss. Although a public park, it isn't particularly well kept and is far from being as inviting as it could be.

On the western border, the Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fort) has a difficult access and doesn't have regular opening hours. Inside the Porto Industriale, the once famous Mercatino Americano is now a shadow of what once was when located in the historical center.

For those interested in Marxist history, the ruins of the Teatro San Marco - severely bombed during the Second World War - is the site where the Italian Communist Party was founded - just north of St. Catherine's Church.

Restaurants in the Venice Quarter

In the Piazza dei Domenicani, the 'Enoteca Forte San Pietro' (1 on map) is ideal for a light lunch - be it traditional cold cuts or more creative flavors with an excellent wine list.

For a more traditional meal, the hidden simplicity of 'L'Antica Venezia' (2 on map) is the place for the cruise ship passenger to enjoy a typical Livornese lunch in a simple no-frills décor.

The 'Ristorante Il Forte' (3 on map - on Via del Forte San Pietro, 32) and a bit off track the 'Ristorante L'Ancora' (4 on map - Scali delle Ancore, 10) are two other restaurants to have in mind for a nice lunch.

Share This Livorno Cruise Port Review

The information on this page was accurate when last updated and published but changes may have occurred without notice.
It is advisable to confirm details with local tourist information before planning your cruise, excursions or tours of Livorno.
If any inaccuracies are found or if there are any suggestions to improve the content of this page please let us know.

Submit a Correction / Suggestion.