La Terrazza Mascagni is one of the most iconic and romantic places in Livorno. It is a huge square on the sea, characterized by a striking black and white checkered floor and a curvilinear balustrade that offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Originally built in the 1920s, it was later expanded in the 1930s and dedicated to the composer Pietro Mascagni, originally from Livorno. I recommend visiting it at sunset.

It’s hard to explain the magic of this place. It feels as if we’ve stepped into a painting or an old English television show called 'The Prisoner.' A magical realm, where upon arrival, I was at a loss for what to behold first. We walked beside the sea, a scene straight out of a fairy tale. There was even a quaint antique carousel, with colorful horses and balloons floating by. Simply enchanting.

On a ledge of the coast, about 500 meters south of the former Orlando shipyards (now Azimut-Benetti) or 1 km south of the port, once stood the Cavalleggeri fort complex which was dismantled in 1872; its area, in the 1920s, was transformed into an elegant lookout. The characteristic of this terrace is in its sinuous shape that follows the coastline, with a balustrade formed by over 4,000 concrete columns and the floor covered with more than 34,000 black and white tiles, thus giving a checkerboard effect. The area behind the belvedere, in the central and southern area is arranged in a garden with large empty spaces, covered with reddish brecciolino; in the southern part there is also a gazebo for music in neoclassical style that dates back to the early 1930s, although it was rebuilt after the last conflict; less beautiful is the northern part, kept on dirt roads and on which the aquarium buildings are located, with relative parking. In any case, the most beautiful part is the sinuous and long terrace that lends itself to walks, especially at sunset or in any case on warm days (not recommended in broad daylight during the summer, because all sunny), with a view of the sea that in the distance reaches the island of Gorgona.

But what do we mean... Just look.... Many times I put myself there, but it's always positive thinking.... Wide air, spotless apart from some element that enjoys to make throw waste .. Then we love Livorno now we are Venice district, but we would like to move more centrally, but even if in 5 minutes you get everywhere... put yourself there is peace immerses you.