La Spezia

La Spezia is a city on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, traditionally considered the eastern tip of the Ligurian coast.

Located on the shore of the gulf of the same name between Pisa and Genoa, La Spezia is one of the largest commercial and military harbors in Italy, as well as the center of the Italian military industry.

The city has a railway station (lines to Genoa, Pisa, and Parma). Passenger ferries connect the city with Corsica, Sardinia and the Cinquiterra coast.

The patron saint of the city is traditionally considered to be St. Venerius, who lived as a hermit in the late VI - early VII centuries on the tiny island of Tino, located in the bay of Spezia. The Feast of St. Venerius is celebrated annually on the island of Tino on September 13. On this day, the statue of St. Venus is brought from La Spezia to the island and the blessing of fishing boats here.

In the town itself and in the bay of La Spezia there are several marinas and piers. In the south-west of the bay near the island of Palmaria there is a nice fishing port called Portovenere. There are also anchorages for yachts.

In the suburb of La Spezia there are several large yachting yards.