San Jacopo in Acquaviva

San Jacopo in Acquaviva is a church along the seafront of Livorno beside the Naval Academy, featuring a neo-Renaissance facade with an arched portal. The interior follows a Latin cross layout with a single nave and houses a recently restored crypt.

The church was first documented in 1163 and underwent several changes over centuries, including a major renovation between 1760 and 1762 that reoriented its main axis. These transformations shaped the building as it appears today.

This Italian national heritage site served as a stopping point for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela, connecting Italian and Spanish pilgrimage routes. Visitors can sense how the place welcomed travelers from different backgrounds seeking spiritual connection.

The crypt reopened after restoration in 2011 and is open to visitors. It helps to check opening times beforehand since the church may have restricted hours depending on religious services.

The name Acquaviva comes from a freshwater spring that once flowed near the hermitage, though this water source has disappeared long ago. The name still carries a memory of this historical connection to water.

Location: Livorno

Inception: 1163

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 43.52959,10.30596

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03