It
was founded on a former auxiliary Pisan port between 1576 and the
early 17th century, on the orders of the Grand Duke Cosimo I who
made it Tuscany's main outlet to the sea after the Pisan port was
filled in. Originally constructed to a pentagonal design and with
a still visible orthogonal street system, the town grew in the 19th
century; it suffered serious damage during the last War and now
has a modern appearance. 
Fortezza Vecchia (16th century), church of S. Ferdinando (Baroque,
early 19th century), Porto Mediceo, Duomo (16th century, reconstructed
after the War), Monument to Ferdinando I, called the `4 Moors' (17th
century). As well as a busy commercial port (one of the most important
in Italy) and facilitated by good motorway (Genoa-Leghorn) and rail
links.
The territory of Leghorn is full of historic and architectural evidence
of the religions practised here throughout the centuries and co-existing
in the city; there are in fact many places
of cult of the various communities: Jewish, Greek, Armenian, Dutch-Germanic
and English.
PRINCIPAL
CHURCHES - Very interesting from a historic-artistic viewpoint
• Church of the Armenians - via della Madonna Erected
by Giovanni Del Fantasia in the XVIII century, it constitutes an
important testimony to the presence of Armenians in Leghorn. Its
interior was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, so
now only the splendid baroque façade can be admired.
• Church of the United Greeks - via della Madonna
Designed by Alessandro Pieroni during the XVII century, it is one
of the oldest churches in Leghorn. Its baroque façade and
its iconostasis in wood (1641) are valuable.
• Church of Luogo Pio - piazza del Luogo Pio Built
in the XVIII century and designed by Giovanni
Del Fantasia, it is a remarkable example of late baroque art. Deconsecrated,
it is now closed and being restored.
• Church of the Madonna - via della Madonna Built
in the XVII century and designed by Alessandro Pieroni, it still
has its original structure. The cloister too is noteworthy, also
by Pieroni.
• Church of the Dutch - Scali degli Olandesi A Testimony
to the “Flemish Nation”, present
in Leghorn since the seventeenth century, its was erected in the
XIX century.
• Church of Saint Catherine - piazza dei Domenicani
With its octagonal shape, designed by the architect Giovanni Del
Fantasia, it was officially inaugurated in 1755. Inside, there is
a large altarpiece by Giorgio Vasari, representing the crowning
of the Virgin, and frescos by Terreni and Traballesi.
• Church of Saint Ferdinand - piazza Anita Garibaldi
An example of late baroque art, it was built in the XVIII century
for the Trinitarian Fathers. It is also known as church “of
the little cross”,
and is interesting because of its sculptures, by Giovanni Baratta
from Carrara.
• Church of Saint Julia - via Santa Giulia Dedicated
to Saint Julia, patron saint of Leghorn, it was build in 1602-1603
on the orders of Ferdinando I dei Medici, grand-duke of Tuscany.
There is a valuable Giotto-School painting above the main altar.
• Church of Saint Jacopo in Acquaviva - piazza San
Jacopo in Acquaviva Erected on a fourth-century hermitage, after
much destruction and rebuilding it was enlarged and oriented towards
Leghorn, acquiring its present features, between 1759 and 1762.
On the orders of the Grand-Dukes of Tuscany it became the first
church of the Greek community. From within one can access the nave
and the crypt of the previous Romanesque church.
• Cathedral - piazza Grande Building began in 1594
on a design by Alessandro Pieroni and continued under the management
of the architect Antonio Cantagallina; it was completed
in 1606. Although it was totally rebuilt after bombings, it still
has its original structure.
• Sanctuary
of Montenero - piazza di Montenero Dedicated to the Madonna
of the Graces, patron of Tuscany, the Sanctuary was built in the
place where, in the XIV century, an oratory had been erected, and
obtained its present structure during the last works of enlargement
carried out between 1721 and 1774 and planned by Giovanni Del Fantasia.
• Israelite Temple - piazza Benamozegh The original
synagogue, built between 1591 and 1603, and among the most beautiful
in Europe, was completely destroyed by bombing during the last world
war. The new temple was rebuilt and designed by the Roman architect
Angelo Di Castro.
