Surrounded by shopping, dining and recreational destinations, this square is the heart of Livorno. Many don’t know that it is also a bridge in disguise.
Piazza della Repubblica is Livorno’s main city square located at the far end of Via Grande, the main street that bisects the city. Admire the piazza’s impressive statues and beautiful gardens and learn about its history and its secrets.
Designed by Italian architect Luigi Bettarini in the early 19th century, the square is actually a very large bridge. Livorno is an ancient fortified city protected by a moat. Piazza della Repubblica sits directly on top of this moat, which is why it is often referred to as Voltone (“Big Vault”). If you take a boat tour through Livorno’s canals, you will pass right underneath the Piazza.
See the two massive statues that dominate the piazza. The statue of Ferdinando III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, stands on the Fortezza Nuova side. The statue of his son, Leopold II, the last reigning Grand Duke of Tuscany, stands opposite him.
From the piazza, you can see one side of the Cisternino, a massive water reservoir. Designed in an elegant neoclassical style, the reservoir was built in 1848 to address the city’s growing water needs. It was intended to hold water from the Colognole Aqueduct and then deliver it to the city’s fountains through a system of pipes and tunnels. Despite its complete construction, the plan never came to fruition. Today, the building houses a theater and a space for cultural events.
Via Grande is Livorno’s main destination for dining and shopping. Take your pick from the many restaurants and cafés surrounding the piazza that serve authentic Italian cuisine. Browse the shops for souvenirs and leather goods that Italy is famous for. Throughout the year, the square hosts a variety of concerts and shows.
Piazza della Repubblica is located in Livorno’s town center. The easiest way to get there is by bus but if you do drive, limited metered parking is available. Just north of the piazza, you will find Fortezza Nuova, an ancient fortress surrounded by a beautiful park.
