3-008-904 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

View of the Gulf of Spezia [in Italy]: showing the house at Varignano in which Garibaldi is confined, 1862. 'The Gulf of Spezia...takes its name from the town of Spezia, which lies at its head. The gulf...is surrounded on all sides, except on the south, by lofty mountains, which shelter its waters from nearly every wind. Its shores are curved, by the descending spurs of the mountains, into several coves...in each of which several ships of war can lie in perfect security. One of these coves is lent to the American Government and another to the Russian Government, to serve as depots to the ships of war in the Mediterranean; while the fourth inlet on the right, on which buildings are visible, is Varignano, the arsenal of the Italian fleet. Here are the lazarettos, the residence of the commandant of the arsenal, large barracks and storehouses; and here, also, is situated Garibaldi's prison. The shores of the gulf are most picturesque. Lofty mountains sweep down to the water's edge, from the heights of which frown modern fortifications; while on the lower promontories are perched ruined Genoese forts. On one side is the town of Porto Venere, founded by Greek colonists...while on the other side is Lerici, with its picturesque fort'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.