La Spezia was always an important port in Italy. It's fitting that the Festa della Marineria be held there. The festival celebrates "the arts, culture and traditions of the sea". You'll see antique sailing vessels racing each other in regattas and more.

We went on Thursday, when things were just getting set up. Marine antique dealers held to one side of the waterfront, displaying all sorts of things you might want in your house--or not, depending upon whether a nautical theme suits you.

Old sailing vessels were scattered throughout the port area. Folks strolled between them, gawking at the polishing being done as the ships were being readied for the festival. A huge, articulated metal statue of a woman was being hoisted unsuccessfully to a standing position. At noon, thundering cannons announced, well, noon I suppose.

There are special seafood meals being served in the local restaurants in honor of the festival (you have to have a coupon, as far as I know). La Spezia has a suprising number of restaurants just inland of the port area. For a town that's on nobody's lists of places to visit before you die, La Spezia is actually quite nice.

A walk up to the Archaeological Museum rewards you with not only fine artifacts for viewing, but the museum is inside a castle; the views down to the port are quite nice. The walk up the stairs is not.

The Festa della Marineria runs from the 11-16 of June. I didn't find any info in English, but here's the official site in Italian.