Why Livorno, Italy, Feels Stuck in the Past

Every time I decide to spend a few days in Livorno, my hometown in Tuscany, Italy, I am instantly overcome with intense, nuanced emotions. I realise right away how difficult it must be to strike a balance between the city’s historical charm and the present circumstances, as Livorno has undergone some challenging changes and there seems to be a loss of its sense of pride, culture, and identity.

I Quattro Mori

Those who view the Quattro Mori statue in light of contemporary awareness of history and its darker facets, such as colonialism, may perceive it as reflecting a more painful, antiquated legacy than the historical significance and naval victories of Livorno.

For tourists arriving by cruise ship, seeing the statue might be an uncomfortable encounter, and perhaps the city feels like it’s stuck in time, clinging to symbols that no longer resonate in a progressive or globally conscious world.

My dissatisfaction with the city's decline also seems to be exacerbated by the rudeness, lack of interest in the outside world, and self-centred behaviours of some residents.