COSTA TOSCANA, Easy to find out!

COSTA TOSCANA CRUISE 1 Incoming projects for the development of tourism 2 SUMMARY

5 LIVORNO: THE PORT FOR TUSCANY

7 Costa Toscana CRUISE

13 LIVORNO AND THE GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY

27 Bolgheri and The Wine Road

35 Elba Island and the pearls of the Tyrrhenian sea

47 Coast of the Etruscans, from the hilltops to the sea

58 FOLKLORE, CUISINE AND CRAFTS

3 4 LIVORNO: THE PORT FOR TUSCANY

The port of Livorno is the gateway to the most desirable destinations in Tuscany, a region that offers an endless range of excursions; from artistic cities to medieval villages, with tours of its unparalleled countryside, culture, flavors and good taste. Porto Livorno 2000 operates in the cruise ship and passenger sector in the port of Livorno. It offers a wide range of services where safety and efficiency are the guiding principles; it works in conjunction with local bodies to make the most of local tourist resources. Porto Livorno 2000 manages the Cruise Terminal, the Maritime Passenger Station, information services, car parks and transportation within the Port of Livorno.

5 6 Costa Toscana CRUISE

The Tuscan Coast has always been an important crossroad for populations and cultures, so it is no surprise that it is a unique treasure trove that has long been famous. The beauty of the countryside and pristine beaches are unparalleled; the picture-postcard views of vineyards and cypresses, archaeological sites, medieval villages, monuments and museums, the gastronomic and wine producing traditions distinguish the entire area, from the hills to the sea, from the coast to the islands. The light and colors have been an inspiration to local artists like Amedeo Modigliani and musicians such as Pietro Mascagni who are emblematic of the creativity and knowledge of this ancient land that still generates such intense emotions. This is an area where creativity, beauty and art have resided over the course of the centuries. It has attracted travelers through the ages, due in part to the warmth and hospitality of its inhabitants, qualities that continue today with a vast range of accommodation services, excellent tourist services, efficient infrastructures, road and rail networks and well connected ports and airports making it is easy to reach the beautiful islands and the artistic cities such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena.

7 Costa Toscana Cruise was set up to provide improved tourist services and develop the tourist sector, particularly passenger cruise traffic. Its partners include Porto Livorno 2000 Cruise Terminal, Regione Toscana, Toscana Promozione, Piombino and Elba Port Authorities, Ljvorno Port Authorities, the Consorzio Strada del vino e dell’olio Costa degli Etruschi, the local governments of Livorno Province and Municipality and the Livorno Chamber of Commerce. It also aims to raise the profile of the port structures and services offered by Costa Toscana Cruise by promoting special itineraries to uncover the history, nature and culture of the area.

8 Forte dei Marmi Lucca Firenze Pisa Chianti

Livorno

Montescudaio

Massa Marittima Maremma

Collesalvetti Livorno

Gorgona Castiglioncello Rosignano Marittimo Rosignano Solvay

Cecina Bibbona Bolgheri

Marina di Castagneto Carducci Castagneto Carducci Donoratico Sassetta Capraia San Vincenzo Suvereto Campiglia Marittima Populonia

Piombino Portoferraio

Isola d’Elba

Pianosa

9 10 EXCURSIONS

LIVORNO Bolgheri AND THE GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY and The Wine Road

Elba Island Coast of the Etruscans and the pearls of the Tyrrhenian sea from the hilltops to the sea

11 Livorno, Fortezza Vecchia.

12 LIVORNO AND THE GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY

Livorno, is a Renaissance port town that was founded under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and it boasts a long maritime tradition. It has always been at the centre of Mediterranean sea routes and is the port for all of Tuscany. The regions most famous artistic cities and beaches are just a few kilometers from its cruise terminal. It is a vibrant city with a rich multicultural and multiethnic population. The inhabitants have a reputation of being welcoming and friendly, its old maritime districts are enthusiastically explored by tourists who enjoy walking along the canals that flow between the 17th century Livorno, Venezia Nuova district. buildings in the Venezia Nuova district.

13 Livorno, Quattro Mori monument.

14 This district is located between two imposing Medicean Fortresses and reaches the Mediceo port where the famous Quattro Mori statue was erected to celebrate the victory of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and Ferdinando I over pirates and Barbars. Bernardo Buontalenti designed the city at the end of the 16th century. The centre is star-shaped polyhedron and is enriched with a number of churches, monuments and villas. The latter were generally built in the 17th and 18th

15 Livorno, Venezia Nuova district.

16 centuries as show-piece homes of wealthy entrepreneurs who traded all over the world. They are decorated with neoclassical features and 19th century urban scenes; the Teatro Goldoni, Central Market, Palazzo Hugens, Palazzo delle colonne di marmo, Palazzo de Lardarel, churches of San Francesco and Santa Caterina, the Porta San Marco, Duomo and Town Hall are just a few of the city’s architectural jewels.

Livorno, Fortezza Nuova.

17 1)

1) Beato Angelico, Christ crowned with thorns, 1430-1450 c.a. Livorno, Duomo.

2) Giorgio Vasari, Incoronation of the Virgin, 1571 c.a. Livorno, church of Saint Catherine.

3) Livorno, the frescoed cupola of Saint Catherine.

2)

18 3)

19 Livorno, Boccale coastline.

20 Livorno, Terrazza Mascagni.

The seafront promenade is of unparalleled beauty, running from the centre of the city to the Romito coastline, along the way visitors and inhabitants can admire the Liberty villas, hippodrome park and bathing establishments. The Terrazza Mascagni, which houses the Aquarium, is the city’s salon where the inhabitants meet to talk and stroll while admiring the wonderful views of the Tuscan islands and nearby Corsica. The suburban villages of Ardenza and Antignano are the gateway to the sanctuary of Montenero, from which the Madonna protects seafarers on the Mediterranean.

Livorno, Cala del Leone bay.

21 Giovanni Fattori, Mandrie maremmane, 1893.

Livorno is the birthplace of artistes of international renown, such as Pietro Mascagni and Amedeo Modigliani, and expresses this heritage in its museums and cultural events. For three weeks in August the Venezia district bursts into life with the “Effetto Venezia” festival. The streets are filled with music, wharf warehouses become restaurants and the villas host a range of events while the sea plays host to the Palio Marinaro regatta where teams from the city’s different districts compete in races that are reminiscent of 17th and 18th century maritime traditions.

Amedeo Modigliani, self portrait, 1919.

22 Livorno, Palio dell’Antenna regatta.

23 Livorno, Effetto Venezia Festival.

24 Visitors to Livorno never fail to enjoy its cuisine, a rare combination of styles derived from the many peoples who have lived here. The Jewish community has left a strong mark on the town’s dishes; first and foremost of which is cacciucco but we mustn’t forget red mullet or baccalà [salted cod] livornese style, ponce [a coffee punch], torta di ceci [a very popular chick pea “pancake”]. These are just some of the town’s specialties that reflect its cosmopolitan character and traditions.

25 26 Bolgheri, avenue of cypress trees. Bolgheri and The Wine Road

Travelling along the Roman “Emilia” and “Aurelia” consular roads we reach sites of great historic, scenic and gastronomic interest. The Strada del Vino e dell’Olio Costa degli Etruschi gives travelers the opportunity to discover fine wines and olive oils and visit medieval towns like Collesalvetti, Rosignano, Montescudaio, Guardistallo, Castellina, Bibbona Casale before continuing on to Castagneto and San Vincenzo, and finally reaching Sassetta, Monteverdi, Campiglia, Suvereto and Piombino at the southern edge of Livorno province. The suggestive avenue of cypresses, made famous in Giosuè Carducci poetry, leads from San Guido to Bolgheri a delightful medieval village in the heart of the Strada del Vino.

27 28 Bolgheri Castle. Castagneto Carducci.

29 San Guido Oratory.

30 Stepping through the city gate is like going back in time, the village has preserved its original layout and buildings although these have now become craft and workshops, restaurants and wine stores. A short distance away on the hillside is Castagneto Carducci, an enchanting village of Etruscan origin. From here you can admire the splendid view of the olive groves, vineyards and Mediterranean woods which slope gently down to the sea, while on a clear day one can see the Tuscan islands in the background. Roads lead off in all directions, meandering through the Tuscan countryside is the Strada del Vino e dell’Olio Costa degli Etruschi, along which you can find producers of some of the most sought after wines in the world. One of these is Sassicaia that has become a symbol of unerring Tuscan excellence and has helped make this area the cradle of superlative Italian wines.

Tenuta di San Guido.

31 32 Here one can enjoy traditional culinary delights and olive oil and is spoilt for choice when it comes to red, white and dessert wines with their refined taste and unique character. Moving on to Cecina we have the Etruscan- Roman Museum, while further down the coast there is the archaeological site of San Vincenzino, the tourist port of Cala de’ Medici, the fortifications of Donoratico and Bibbona, and for lovers of relaxation the beautiful beaches and pine woods of San Vincenzo. These are just some of the possible destinations to come and discover the true lifestyle and traditions of Tuscany.

33 Paolina island, Procchio, Elba Island.

34 Elba Island and the pearls of the Tyrrhenian SEA

Elba is the largest of the “Pearls of the Tyhrrenian Sea”, the islands that make up the Tuscan archipelago, and it is just a short ferry trip from the port of Piombino. It’s strategic location, rich soil and mineral rich deposits have all contributed to his history. Today it is a popular destination for international tourism with its welcoming accommodation set in the hills affording wonderful sea views. If you prefer the beach there are seafront hotels along the sandy and rocky shores lapped by crystal clear seas. The scenery on Elba is mixture of land and sea that intermingle to create splendid canvases. It is famed for its beaches of very fine sand, its sheer cliffs, limpid water and sea beds rich in flora and fauna.

35 Portoferraio, Elba Island.

36 Portoferraio, the capital is on the north coast, it is in natural harbor that was used to load iron ore bound for Populonia in Etruscan times. The city was fortified during the Renaissance by the Tuscan Grand Duchy to defend the island against pirates and invaders, its fortresses are still intact today. On the hill top of the town is the Villa where Napoleon spent his exile - today it is a Museum.

37 Frugoso beach, Elba Island.

38 It is possible to visit the abandoned mines or such fortifications as the Pisan Fortress in Marciana, the Volterran Castle or the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte. For the best view on the island there is a funicular railway that goes to the top of Monte Capanne, the highest mountain on the island. The small towns dotted around the island: Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro, Marina di Campo, Marciana Marina with its Pisan Tower and Rio Marina all provide delightful surprises and enjoyable experiences for tourists who go to explore the quaint streets made of numerous steps and granite.

Fetovaia beach, Elba Island.

39 Scaglieri beach, Elba Island.

40 Capoliveri, Elba Island. Porto Azzurro, Elba Island.

Marciana Marina, Elba Island. Rio Marina, Elba Island.

41 42 Capraia Island. Gorgona Island. Pianosa Island.

Capraia is a genuine pearl with its rich, uncontaminated seabed that contributes the to the island’s appeal while on land there are many archaeological remains. The rich vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean. Gorgona is the smallest of the islands. Rocky and extremely lush it is covered in green pines that contrast the deep blue sea, both features combining to create a magical picture. Pianosa gets its name from the fact that it is flat, the island still has the vestiges of antique Roman villas. Elba and the other islands have all maintained their agricultural traditions, for example continuing to produce such wines as Aleatico. At the same time, ancient skills and knowledge have been transformed and obtained worldwide recognition with products like Locman watches and Acqua dell’Elba perfumes.

43 Elba Island.

44 45 46 Coast of the Etruscans from the hilltops to the sea

Travelling along the road that runs between the fields and gentle hills you turn a corner and are struck by the sun reflected on the deep blue sea that laps the Tuscan coastline. This is the same shore that first attracted the Ancient Etruscans to settle on this land and establish one of the Mediterranean’s leading civilizations. One can just imagine an Etruscan appearing from behind a wall of tuffo carrying an old clay vase. Just a few kilometers to the south of Livorno, on the roman Aurelia road, visitors reach the beautiful countryside of northern Maremma that covers the area from the small town of Castagneto Carducci to the southern edge of the province, this area is endowed with a wealth of environmental, cultural and culinary delights.

47 Campiglia Marittima.

48 The Colline Metallifere [rich metal hills] form a basin around the vineyards of the Strada del Vino, whilst in the background one can admire the long sandy beaches that are interrupted by the rocky cliffs of Piombino’s promontory. Visitors might be forgiven for thinking that locals decided to build villages on the surrounding hills just for the panoramas they offer of the sea. Campiglia Marittima is one of these medieval towns whose history is closely connected to the mining of local resources. This tradition is celebrated in the San Silvestro Parco Archeominerario; an open-air archaeological site that illustrates man’s exploitation of the area’s mineral resources from Etruscan times to the present day.

Archaeological Mines Park of San Silvestro.

49 The sea fort of Populonia.

50 The necropoles of Baratti and Populonia.

On the coast we have the resort town of San Vincenzo that is a famous destination for people who wish to enjoy the natural beauty of its sandy beaches and unspoilt pinewoods. At its southern edge there is the idyllic Gulf of Baratti and an Etruscan necropolis, the only one to be built on the sea. Overlooking this beautiful bay is the stronghold of Populonia, home to the Parco Archeologico of Baratti and Populonia that houses many precious Etruscan artifacts found in the nearby necropoles and archaeological sites.

51 The necropoles of Baratti and Populonia.

52 53 The acropolis of Baratti and Populonia.

54 A precious Etruscan silver amphora, chosen as the symbol for the Archaeologial Museum of Baratti and Populonia.

55 Piombino lighthouse.

56 Suvereto.

This area has a wide range of attractions; spas, tourist ports, agritourisms cozy inns and typical trattorias where diners can enjoy tasty Mediterranean dishes prepared with fresh local produce. Piombino is in the far south of Livorno Province; ferries go to Elba from here. This is a typical port that is known for its steel works while the surrounding area has sites of historic, architectural and artistic value. The hinterland of the val di Cornia includes the characteristic medieval villages of Sassetta and Suvereto, the latter with well-preserved city walls, narrow twisting roads and a city hall dating back to the start of the 13th century.

Sassetta.

Suvereto.

57 FOLKLORE, CUISINE AND CRAFTS

Although wine and oil are the most well known products the Tuscan Coast is also famous for a range of other products obtained from its rich earth. The ingredients used in the local cuisine are simple and healthy and rightly appreciated throughout the world. Fishing, animal breeding, floriculture and, vineyards are just some of the industries that the hard-working Tuscans carry out. Alongside these are the craftsmen who continue the long- tradition of skilled handicrafts in workshops and old cellars in the cities and medieval villages. These artistes are the standard bearers of rare abilities such as stone working, such as alabaster. The traditions of the farmers and their communities is expressed in the many country fairs and shows of which one can usually be found every week throughout the area, these include “pali” and sporting events, markets and shows. These are all wonderful opportunities for tourists to see a slice of life and experience the traditions of a land that has its roots in one of the world’s oldest peoples, who even preceded the Romans; the Etruscans.

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