The Ardenza coloursThe village of Ardenza grew up gradually in the countryside to the south of Livorno at the beginning of the 19th century. Although the village was sparsely populated, it had its own church, San Simone, which was built in 1844.

During the same period the elegant ‘Casini’ were also erected along the seafront, to provide accommodation for visitors coming to enjoy the sea from outside Livorno. The Caprilli race course was built in 1868, and the Naval Academy in 1881 on the site of the former lazzaretti named after San Jacopo and San Leopoldo.The area’s three bagni grew up in the mid 1800s.

Most of Livorno’s sports facilities are found in Ardenza, including the Armando Picchi football stadium, an indoor swimming pool, the athletics ground, a basketball stadium, a fencing ground, a rugby pitch and the Caprilli race course.

The Sezione Nautica dell’Ardenza is one of Livorno's oldest rowing clubs. The club won its last ten-man Palio Marinaro in 1983 and the four-man Palio in 2004. It has also achieved victories in the Coppa Barontini, and the Coppa Risiatori.