Football
Spezia Calcio is an Italian professional football club based in La Spezia, Liguria, Italy. To the dismay of the Spezia fans, the team was relegated to Serie B (the Italian second division) in 2023, after having been promoted to Serie A in the year of Covid (2019-2020) and spending the last three years in the top Italian league. Despite this, the team continues putting on exciting matches for its fans, especially at its home: the Alberto Picco Stadium.
Today, we will talk about this modern stadium, home to a club with a long tradition of Italian football. This article explores this iconic stadium’s history, importance, and unique atmosphere.
Table of contents
- Stadio Alberto Picco: The Heart of Football in La Spezia
- The Stadium Name
- History And Development
- Fan Experience
- Renovation and Future
- How to Get to Stadio Alberto Picco
- Spezia Calcio Has A Really Cool Home
- We Are All About Football!
The Stadium Name
The stadium’s name is in honor of former team player Alberto Picco, who was also the first player to score for the club. Alberto Picco was born in Spezia on July 14, 1894. However, the player had a sad fate in the history of Spezia, as he died at a very young age on a battlefield in the First World War on June 16, 1915. Having been just over twenty years old, Picco participated in the battle for the conquest of Monte Negro with the Alpine Corps.
As a result, the stadium was built in 1919, after the end of the conflict, and was named after him. Furthermore, since 1922, a memorial stone at the stadium’s entrance has remembered the names of the soldiers who fell from Spezia in the war: Alberto Picco, Umberto Toso, Ferruccio Francesconi, Bruno Zambelli, Paride Ferrari, and Ciro Orsini.
History And Development
The stadium was built quickly after the World War on land, which was granted by the Navy so that the local team could participate in their first official championship, the official Ligurian Promotion Championship of 1919-20. Although construction was not completed for the tournament’s first match, which had to be played on the Virtus pitch, the stadium was finally inaugurated on 7 December 1919, when Spezia beat S.C. Genoa 8-0.
The stadium initially had a wooden stand in the English style. In 1922, a plaque was placed at the entrance in honor of the club’s deceased members. In the early 1930s, a characteristic dark stone gate was erected with sculptures of two athletes, which were later completed. This historic gate still stands between the Distinti sector and the Curva Piscina side, visible to those passing along Viale Fieschi.
A concrete curve stand was inaugurated in 1933 and later replaced by the original wooden structures. In 1964, the “Curva Ferrovia” was built with a capacity of approximately 1,000 to accommodate more fans. This area was formally inaugurated on 6 January 1964 during the Spezia-Massese derby.
In the 1985-86 season, after Spezia’s promotion to Serie C1, the “Curva Piscina” was built, with a capacity of 1,500. Since then, this corner has been the preferred location for local fans, as it is the closest to the pitch.
At the end of the 1980s, an ambitious renovation project was launched to increase the stadium’s capacity to around 15,000 spectators. The works began with the construction of the Distinti sector; this was later followed by a complete reconstruction of the Curva Ferrovia, which has proven to be the stadium’s most striking sector. This new stand was inaugurated on 12 November 1993.
Due to a lack of funds, construction work was halted, and the remaining areas, such as the main stand and the Curva Piscina, were not renovated. In the summer of 2000, following Spezia’s promotion to C1, the Curva Piscina was adapted to accommodate away fans, increasing its capacity to 1,600. In 2006, several improvements were made to bring the stadium into line with current regulations during the celebration of Spezia Calcio’s centenary and its return to Serie B after fifty-five years. These included the construction of two new lighting towers, replacing a ditch with a shatterproof window in the Distinti sector, and creating new structures for the press and changing rooms.
In 2007, to comply with legal requirements, turnstiles were installed at all public access points, a security fence around the stadium, new security gates, and additional surveillance cameras were installed. A special tunnel was built to allow safe access for fans visiting the Curva Piscina. Small boxes were also created in the Distinti sector to improve the comfort of television and news stations.
Fan Experience
Let’s talk about the experience on match days. Last year I had the opportunity to visit and watch a match at the Stadio Alberto Picco. I have to say that although it is not one of the most modern stadiums I have ever visited, the experience is unique.
From what the fans who were with me on the day of the match told me, Spezia Calcio’s local supporters and fans are known for their passion and loyalty. And it was clear: the choreography, the chants, and the energy in the stands were contagious, creating an exciting atmosphere for both the players and the spectators. On match days, the streets around the stadium are filled with fans dressed in Spezia jerseys, transforming the city into a true football party. It’s all a lot of fun. One thing I found very convenient is that you can order food directly to your seat.
In addition, the seats are right at the top of the pitch so that you can be close to the game. This is possible because there is no running track around the pitch like many stadiums. The structure is a little small, so you can see the match from almost every seat and get close to the players, making everything much more exciting. There are rest areas and bathrooms in each sector. Overall, my impression is that the stadium has excellent management, a beautiful field, easy entry and exit, and, above all, it is fantastic for those who want to see the players up close.
Renovation and Future
There is some great and hopeful news for Calcio fans: there have recently been discussions about possible renovations and expansions of Stadio Alberto Picco to modernize its facilities and increase capacity. These changes are intended to improve the fan experience and ensure that the stadium meets the requirements for the most prestigious competitions. Regardless of future modifications, the spirit and essence of the Picco as the beating heart of Spezia Calcio will remain intact.
No information has yet been confirmed, so for now, all we can do is do what fans already do best: hope for a positive result!
How to Get to Stadio Alberto Picco
To get to Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia, Italy, you have a few transportation options:
- By train: Take a train to La Spezia Centrale Station. From there, the stadium is about 1.5 km away. You can walk (approximately 15 minutes from the city center) or take a taxi.
- By car: If driving, use a GPS or navigation app and enter “Stadio Alberto Picco” as your destination (or the address: Via dei Pioppi, 19123 La Spezia SP, Italy). The stadium is located on Via Nicolò Fieschi. There is parking nearby, but it can be challenging to find a spot on match days since it is not that big.
- By bus: Several bus lines run near the stadium. ATC’s L line connects La Spezia Centrale Station to the stadium. A few bus stops are nearby, and the Stadio Picco and Buggi are the closest ones.
Whichever method you choose, plan ahead, especially on match days, as traffic and demand for public transportation increase.
Spezia Calcio Has A Really Cool Home
Since its inauguration in 1919, the Alberto Picco stadium has been a central pillar for football in La Spezia and Spezia Calcio. With a rich history that reflects the memories of local heroes, today, the stadium is a testament to the community spirit and passion for football that defines La Spezia. If you ever visit La Spezia, be sure to watch a game at this stadium, your experience will be fascinating!
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