EuroTravel Magazine 3 | Page 64

Tuscany which connected the places of business to the main port and sea. Thus was born“ Veneiza Nuova” or“ New Venice” as that area of the city came to be called.
The new trade laws also created
a city politic that became a welcome safe haven for those who sought refuge from both religious and political persecution. One of the little-known effects of the Thirty- Years War was that the economy of Livorno particularly, and Italy in General, experienced a serious and long-lasting downturn.
In early 1921, Livorno was the birthplace of the Italian Communist Party and to this day is known as a very left-leaning city. Politics and intrigue aside, this is a lovely city and absolutely worth your time to visit while in Tuscany.
Mark Gordon Smith is a published author and President of Private Italy Tours. For over ten years, his company has provided unforgettable small small group explorations of Italy and Greece. www. private-italy. com.
Livorno“ Venezia Nuova” The city today is a major departure point for ferry services that connect Livorno to Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and other Med ports. If you have the time, taking the ferry between locations during your trip can be both helpful and enjoyable. Livorno is famous, as well, for its being home to the Italian Naval Academy. ■
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