La Spezia is located in the easterly part of Liguria and situated at 3 metres above sea-level on the Riviera di Levante, on the furthest part of the Golfo di Spezia and is also home to a naval base. In spite of its modernity, it has ancient origins, dating from Roman times. Well worth a visit is the ancient cathedral, first built in the 14th-16th centuries then subsequently destroyed by bombardment in 1943 and since reconstructed and enlarged.Also recommended are the new cathedral, the "Castello di San Giorgio", the church of Santa Maria dell Neve, the Teatro Civico and the Museo Archeologico Lunese.