Piazza Matteotti Live Cam

Ancient Origins and Medieval Transformation

Piazza Matteotti La Spezia occupies a strategic position at the foot of the Gulf of Poets, its story interwoven with Roman roads, medieval fortifications, and Ligurian maritime culture. Archaeological evidence suggests that as early as the 1st century BCE, a small port settlement thrived here, serving as a local hub for olive oil, wine, and salted fish traded along the Via Aurelia. The natural harbor attracted merchants from Tuscany and Provence, while local fishermen exploited the rich Adriatic shoals, laying the foundations for La Spezia’s later naval significance.