Spezzia (Ital. Spezia; pron. Spet'sia), the principal naval port of Italy, stands near the head of a deep and commodious bay, 56 miles SE. of Genoa by rail. A breakwater (1860), 2400 feet long, covers the entrance; whilst formidable batteries (supplemented by torpedo appliances) bristle on the hills that overlook the bay and on the island of Palmeria, which guards its entrance. At this great national arsenal the Italians have built their large warships, and have their ship-repairing yards and docks, naval victualling yards, and store-houses (partly also at San Bar-tolomeo, on the opposite shore of the bay). There are also large barracks, a military hospital, schools of navigation, an iron-foundry, and manufactures of cables, sail-cloth, and white-lead. The beauty of the bay and the lovely climate cause Spezzia to be much frequented as a seaside-resort. It was on the shores of its bay that Shelley spent his last months, and here Charles Lever was consul for ten years. Pop. 65,620.

Spezzia

Spezzia (or Spetsai; anc. Pityussa), a Greek island at the entrance to the Gulf of Nauplia. Area, 6 1/2 sq. m.; pop. 6899 - 6494 in the town of Spezzia, which has a good harbour.